Dean Arthur Banner

Please Note: Changes to Dean's Viewing It will be held at the Church building. Rupert West Stake Center, 26 South 100 West Rupert, ID

Our cherished Dean Arthur Banner passed away March 26, 2024, at the age of 76 with his wife by his side at their home in Rupert, Idaho. Dean was born to Ralph and Alice (Weston) Banner on January 24, 1948 in Ogden, Utah. Our red hair, blue-eyed boy was raised in Nyssa, Oregon, the youngest of 5 kids with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Dean graduated from Nyssa High School in 1966 and served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1967-1969 in the Southwest British Mission.

Although he lived with a weakened heart for several decades, his heart was anything but weak for his family and everyone he came in contact with.

Dean met his beautiful bride, Donna Marie Judy, at a teen dance at the Ontario Oregon Armory in 1965 when he was just 17 years old. He quickly fell in love with the girl that he couldn’t stop dancing with. They were married on April 25, 1970, and later sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple. They raised eight children: William (Bill), James (Jim), Erin, Stephanie, Carrie, Judy, Robert (Bobby), and Bethany. Their home was filled with laughter, the occasional (or frequent) mischief from kids, and a lot of love. Dean adored his 25 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren with another on the way.

Dean found joy in passing on his love for camping and fishing to his kids and his nieces and nephews. His favorite time of the year was the one week every July spent at Anthony Lakes Campground in eastern Oregon where he spent time fly fishing with his homemade flies and sharing laughs around the campfire. This Banner family tradition started when Dean was only 7 years old and continued as the Banner family grew and expanded, and it is a tradition that is still going strong today. Many of his dear loved ones from the Banner family have their fondest memories of Uncle Dean in this place that can only be described to us as heaven on earth.

Dean and Donna lived in many areas around Oregon and Washington before last settling in Rupert, Idaho in 1993. Dean served his community as a member of the Rupert Kiwanis Club, and for a few years he was the 4th of July Parade coordinator. He was also known in the community as a photographer with his business, Banner Images. Dean was a great example of how to embrace one’s talents and that it is never too late to learn new crafts. Many Sunday afternoons were spent together watching Bob Ross paint happy little trees. Little did we know that one day Dean would become a Bob Ross Certified Painting Instructor — another skill and talent that he loved to share with others.

Dean enjoyed serving in many callings for the Church including bishoprics, as a Bishop, a counselor, a ward clerk, and many others through the years. His most loved calling, however, has been to serve alongside his wife in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple every week. Dean has always been steadfast in his faith and his dedication to following Jesus Christ. Undoubtedly, this has made him the kind, gentle man we all know and love.

Dean is survived by his wife Donna, children Bill (Hollie) Banner, Jim Banner, Erin Taylor, Stephanie (Austin) Allred, Carrie (Jeffrey) Bennett, Judy (Justin) Bennett, Bobby (Jessy) Banner, Bethany (Cameron) Livingston, his 25 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and his siblings Sherma (Don) Coombs, Lynn (Suzie) Banner, and Beth (Solon) Wolfe. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Verl, and grandson Christopher Taylor.

A viewing will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 PM at at the Rupert West Stake Center, 26 South 100 West Rupert, ID. Funeral Services will be on April 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM with a viewing from 1:00-1:45 PM at the Rupert West Stake Center, 26 South 100 West, Rupert, ID. He will be laid to rest in the Rupert Cemetery.