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In memory of

James D. "Don" Bankhead, Sr

Fullerton, CA, USA

July 4, 1932 - December 23, 2019

Jul 4, 1932 - Dec 23, 2019

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James D. “Don” Bankhead was born July 4, 1932, in DeLeon, Texas, and graduated from Valley Mills High School in Valley Mills, Texas. Following high school, Don enlisted in the Navy, and was assigned to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bataan, which saw action in the Korean War.

California became Don’s home in 1954, when he was discharged from the Navy. He worked for awhile in the U.S. Postal Service, General Motors and Union Oil before he was hired by the Fullerton Police Department in February 1957.

After joining the Police Department, Don quickly began to move up the ranks. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1962, to Lieutenant in 1964, and to Captain in 1978. After his promotion to Captain, he commanded the Uniform Division until 1980, and was then assigned to command the Investigation Division, a position he held until his retirement from the force in September 1988.

While he moved up the ranks, Don continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in public administration, both from California State University, Fullerton.

A Fullerton resident since 1957, Don was elected to the Fullerton City Council in 1988, and served until July 2012. Immediately upon his election to office Don became involved in a variety of committees and commissions, and served countless hours in behalf of the City of Fullerton.

Active in the community, he was a member of the Fullerton Rotary - Main, the Fullerton Elks Lodge, the American Legion, the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, the California Peace Officers’ Association, and the Sunny Hills Church of Christ. He has also been a long-time supporter of youth activities, including local Little League and soccer programs, as well as, the PTA and Boy Scouts.

Honors received include being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary - Main. He was also honored by the North Orange County Community College District as the 2002 Distinguished Alumnus for the College, and by the North Orange County YWCA as the 2004 Man of the Year.

Don is survived by his wife of 35 years, Carol, his children, Cheryl, Jamey, Donny, Evelyn. Step daughters Melissa and Debbie, grandchildren, Bo, Cody, Samantha, Sophia, Paige and Skyler and his great-grandsons Shawn and August.

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