Layton Thomas Banks was born in Manchester, Tennessee on April 8, 1921, the eighth of ten children, to John Thomas and Virginia “Jennie” (Pirtle) Banks. The family moved to Howe, Grayson County, Texas in 1923, and to Dallas in 1933. Layton attended Dallas schools and with limited opportunities available, joined the United States Navy in November 1939 on a “Kiddie Cruise”. He achieved the rank of Coxswain while assigned to the USS Oklahoma (BB 37). He met and married Dorothy Marie Platt in September 1941. He was 20 years old.
Layton was killed on board the USS Oklahoma (BB 37) during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii when the ship capsized. His remains were recovered in 1943 and interred in Hawaii among 388 unidentified remains at the National Cemetery of the Pacific until 2015. His remains were moved to a lab for DNA identification and the family was notified in October 2019 his remains had been identified.
Layton was survived by his wife of three months, “Dot”; parents and eight siblings, Walter, Elizabeth, Stella, Weldon, Sally (Goldie), Lela, Vestal and Billy Wayne Banks all now deceased; and by the numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews born since his passing.
In support of our local, state, and federal govt including CDC directives and to protect the physical health, safety and well-being of our community, only a limited number of guests will be allowed to attend the Funeral Service.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, and will also be live streamed on the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Facebook page and a recorded video will be available following the funeral service on Layton’s obituary page.
However, when the maximum number of guests are reached, those who would like to honor Layton and show their support to his family may remain at the funeral home in your vehicle, where you can watch the live streamed service on your personal device (laptop, tablet or smartphone) or listen through a designated FM radio channel.
Interment will follow at the Rowlett Creek Cemetery in Plano, Texas.
Celebrationoflife.tv livestream https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/layton-thomas-banks
Memorials Would you like to say a few words? Click Here +
My family and I wanted to thank your family for the service of Coxswain Layton Banks. We wish that we could have joined you for the interment this morning. However, we did come by this afternoon and left flowers for him and a few flags to honor his service. We are proud to share Layton's story with our boys and hope that his courage will rub off on them. Thank you all for allowing us to be a part of this with you.Victoria Say, October 24, 2020 I honor your service and appreciate the sacrifice you made. Rest in peace with your family. Shannon Banks Harwell, October 23, 2020 So grateful for the US Naval Service of Coxswain Layton Banks for his ultimate service for our country. The price he paid so many decades ago is not forgotten, and give us a reminder of what dangers there are in the world, and of the vigilance needed to protect our freedom (and of those other people who cannot protect themselves). Thanks you Lord for men such as this, may his sacrifice not ever forgotten. Thank you Lord for the science that allows this identification technology, God rest his soul. d huffman, Army vet, M/C chaplain Don Huffman, October 23, 2020 My wife Lynette and I are honored to attend this service. I heard the story many times growing up. What a great opportunity to bring a lot of family members together.
John Thomas Banks, October 23, 2020 Layton was my dad's uncle. Over the years my husband and I have had the privilege of visiting the Punch Bowl in Hawaii and the monuments dedicated to our brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. We are grateful that his remains are being returned to his family, a hope and prayer of his mother. May Layton truly rest in peace now as family, friends, and the nation remembers his dedication and sacrifice to our country. Collette Banks Turner, October 22, 2020 To the family of U.S. Navy Coxswain Layton Thomas Banks who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country may you find closure. Denise Patterson, October 20, 2020 RIP our Hero Floyd Morgan, October 19, 2020 My late father was a USN Gunner's Mate First Class and was also assigned to the USS Oklahoma. He was one of the fortunate survivors of that fateful attack by the Empire of Japan on December 7, 1941. He had memories and stories from that day, the aftermath of that day's attack, and many other events during his next five years of service in the Pacific Theatre during and after WW II. Regardless of his memory or the story he told, it always came back to his horror of listening to his fellow sailors trapped below deck banging on the ship's hull as he watched it sink below the harbor's burning surface. My father forever mourned that moment. It was touching while also being troubling as anyone could tell he felt the loss of 429 fellow shipmates more deeply than any words can describe. Those of us left to cherish my own father's memory send our deepest sympathies to all of Mr. Bank's surviving family for the loss of a great American Patriot who fought with his own life so that we all may be safe and free. We hope you find comfort with him being returned home to North Texas. May God be with you as you gather to remember the memory of your loved one. Rest in peace, sailor, and may you be blessed eternally for your service to our country. James Fomby; Frisco, Texas. James Fomby, October 19, 2020 I deeply regret not being able to attend my uncle's funeral and burial due to travel restrictions between the UK and the US. I am extremely grateful to my patriotic friends, and of course to all of my relatives, who are attending despite never having known Layton. I never knew Layton, but for many years I watched my father Weldon grieve over that little stone indicating that his remains were lost; I don't think my father ever really got "closure" because of this. He would have been SO pleased to know the great honor and respect being shown to Layton now for his sacrifice in 1941. My thanks goes to the US Navy and to my relatives who provided the DNA to enable Layton's identification so that his remains can finally rest in peace amongst those of his family.
Mary Banks, October 19, 2020 God Bless this young sailor who served with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Thank you for your service and sacrafice. You will not be forgotten. We will escort home to your final resting place shipmate. Fair Winds and Following Seas. God Bless, and Rest in Peace! Greg Hopper, U.S. Navy Chief (Retired), October 18, 2020 We will be there to honor your return. Fair Winds and Following Seas. Paul Banks, October 14, 2020 With deepest condolences to the family of U.S. Navy Coxswain Layton Thomas Banks who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country so that we may live free. Paul R. Kapferer, USNR PO1 Retired , October 5, 2020 Welcome home soldier. Thank you for your sacrifice. Darrin and Denice Green, September 29, 2020 Thank you Mr. Banks for your bravery and service to this country. We are so thankful for brave men and women like you that dedicate their lives to keeping us all safe. We are forever in your debt. Nathan, September 29, 2020
