James Wendell Wilbanks was born in Lindale, Texas, the son of Loyd Wilbanks and Hope Harvey Wilbanks. He passed away on August 30, 2024, at age 91 in Colleyville, Texas. James was raised in Tyler, Texas, and graduated from Tyler High School. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1953 and served our country during the Korean and Cold Wars at several Air Force bases in Biloxi AFB (Biloxi MS), Donaldson AFB (Greenville, SC), Thule AFB (Thule, Greenland), and Perrin AFB (Sherman, TX). He rose to Staff Sergeant before discharge from the Air Force in February of 1957. He received a National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal during his years of service. Upon discharge from the Air Force, James took a job with Nabisco Brands, where he was employed for 37 years. He worked in Shawnee, Ada and Enid, Oklahoma, and then transferred to the Dallas/Fort Worth area as a Food Service Branch Manager. He won many awards for his sales abilities. When James retired from Nabisco in 1994, he only retired for two months before going back to work for car auctions. Later, he worked at Avis Car Rental for an additional 14 years driving rental cars throughout the metroplex to and from the airport. James always had a love for sports, whether participating or watching, it was always a joy. While in the Air Force at Thule, Greenland, he won first place on the base volleyball team. His love for sports and competing continued throughout his life in church activities. While at First Assembly in Enid, Oklahoma, Evangel Temple, Grand Prairie, and Calvary Temple, Irving, he participated in choir, softball leagues and ushering. He loved to compete, doing well winning trophies in bowling league and softball. He also loved playing golf with many friends and relatives. James Wilbanks was a man of impeccable character with a quick wit, and quick smile. He loved to rock each baby as they were born, and children loved him for his funny "quacky" noises he would make to foster a laugh! One of his great traits was his amazing thick white hair that could be spotted across a room. He was an avid whistler, and always had a song in his heart. In later years at memory care facilities, he would be found singing or whistling to worship music. James is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janice Wilbanks; children, Laura and her husband Lester Terrell of Sherman, Texas; Glen and his wife Susan Heard of Nashville, Tennessee; Donna and her husband Tom Cobb of Colleyville, Texas; grandchildren, Olivia, Jenna, Natalie, Mark, Bryson, Christi and Grant; great grandchildren, Grace, Caleb, Tatum, Gus, Lonnie, Eliana, Joanna, Luke, Caroline and Wade; sister, Mary Ann and her husband Doug Hudson of Tyler, Texas, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Loyd and Hope Wilbanks, and his sister and brother-in-law Carolyn and Jack Folwell, and his niece, Sharon McKay. A visitation for James will be held Wednesday, September 4, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 606 W Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas 75062. Graveside services, with full military honors, will be 9:00 AM, Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211. Celebration of Life for James will be 1:00 PM, Thursday, September 5, 2024, in the Calvary Church Chapel, 4401 State Highway 161, Irving, Texas 75038 with Reverand Garry Page officiating. Celebration of Life Service available online at https://www.youtube.com/@cctraditionalservice or https://www.facebook.com/cctraditionalservice There are no gallery images. Visitation Wednesday, September 4, 2024 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Colonial Funeral Home 606 W. Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062 Graveside Service Thursday, September 5, 2024 9:00 AM Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX 75211 Funeral Service Thursday, September 5, 2024 1:00 PM Calvary Church 4401 North Hwy. 161 Irving, TX 75062