CHARLES A. BANKSTON JR. Feb. 4, 1935 – Oct. 9, 2017Charles Bankston of Westlake Village, California, passed away October 9 as a result of complications following a stroke.
Charles was the only child of C.A. (Bert) Bankston and Mildred (Burke) Bankston. Charles graduated from Highland High School in Albuquerque and attended the University of New Mexico, earning a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He joined Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory in 1958, working on projects ranging from the Rover project to geothermal and solar energy.
In his spare time, he enjoyed bridge, recreation league basketball, golf, and skiing. His passion, though, was cycling. He started commuting to work by bike, then took up racing. He competed in many events in New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona, and won several state championships in the Veteran’s age category.
In 1982, Charles moved to Washington, D.C. where he had a successful consulting business with his second wife, Sharon Yenney. In 1995, Charles and Sharon retired to Santa Fe where Charles enjoyed cycling with the Seniors on Bikes. Following Sharon’s death in 2001, Charles moved to Thousand Oaks, California where he enjoyed the year-around cycling weather. He was an active member and co-president of the Old Kranks cycling group.
Charles is survived by daughter Victoria Telles and her husband, David, of Los Alamos, New Mexico; son Neil and his wife, Lisa Patson, of Templeton, California; and by his loving partner Katie Menees, of Westlake Village. Charles will also be missed by numerous friends and extended family. A celebration of his life will be held in California at a later date.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Compassionate Care Home Residence and Assisted Home and Hospice Care for their care and dedication in Charles’ final months.
