Craig Shannon Bankson's Obituary
Craig Shannon Bankson, 65 of Centerville, passed away Tuesday, June 20th, 2023.
Craig was born in Macon, Missouri on April 28, 1958 to Don & Mildred (Crouse) Bankson the 6th of 8 children. They would later settle in their family hometown of Mystic, Iowa. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1976. He was united in marriage to Michelle Kauffman July 1st, 1995, they later separated.
He was as ornery as they came, his free spirit evident from the beginning. He was kind hearted and could always find the good in people. He was quick with a hug, a tear, a smile or his infectious raspy laugh and always willing to help however he could.
He enjoyed the simpler things in life. A carpenter by trade he was always building or creating something with his hands and had many different hobbies over the years. He preferred being outdoors, usually shoeless with various hats and scarves. He could often be found on the river or lake, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and finding arrowheads. If he wasn't outdoors, he was playing a mean game of pool, chess, cards or curled up with a good book or watching countless hours of war documentaries.
He took the simple things in life, along with the people in his life, and he made them a priority and he loved them with everything he had. He lived life well.
Survivors include his wife, Michelle Kauffman, daughter: Becca Everett (Jarvis), son: Tony Kauffman (Nioka), grandchildren: Logan Everett, Kimber Everett and Jaxon Kauffman, siblings: Linda (Dennis) Hammack, Judith Stokke, Deborah (Brian) VanBlaricon, Kevin (Debbie) Bankson, Donna (Rick) Zaputil, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and his dog Beast.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: John Bankson, Denise Repp, niece: Faith Repp, great nephew: Wyatt Voth.
A Celebration of Life service will be held from 12PM-2PM, Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the Mystic Community Center. Memorials can be made in Becca Everett's name, to be determined at a later date, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Bankson family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
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