Coach Pete Banks, born April 19, 1929, in Birmingham, AL died Friday, May 28, at Providence Hospital in Mobile. A graduate of Phillips High School in Birmingham, he played football at Jones Junior College in MS and Presbyterian College in SC before receiving his degree from Auburn University. He then served two years in the US Army during the Korean War. Coach began teaching at Mortimer Jordan High School in Morris, AL and obtained a Masters Degree in Education at George Peabody College in Nashville.
He played minor league baseball in the Alabama-Florida League, ending his time in baseball with the Panama City Fliers, a club which became affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. Coach Banks joined the faculty of McGill Institute in 1957 where he spent thirty-seven years as a teacher, coach of cross country and track, and Athletic Director.
Following retirement in 1994, he kept in touch with many of his former student athletes. One former student was told by Coach Banks, “At McGill we have to educate the whole person - morally, mentally, and physically - and without our athletic program, we would only be educating two-thirds of the whole being”.
Coach Banks is survived by his spouse Bobbie Hughes Banks and three sons, Michael Banks, Colin Banks and Kenny Hughes. He is also survived by six grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the Administration and Staff of the Mobile Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their care and dedication.
Visitation will be held at Radney Funeral Home in Mobile, Thursday, June 3rd from 5:00-8:00 pm. A
Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, June 4th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 11:00 am with visitation starting at 10:00 am. Special seating will be reserved for former athletes and coaches.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to the Peter Banks Scholarship Fund at McGill Foundation, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, 1501 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36604.
