John Wayne Bannister

Mr. John Wayne Bannister, 76, of Tifton, passed away on September 17, 2020 at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Private graveside service will be held in Tift Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with VFW Chaplain, Jim Atkins officiating. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Milton Ring, Jerry Coley and William Van Horn.

Wayne was born on May 15, 1944, in Tift County to the late Roscoe and (Granny) Estelle Bannister. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and during his time in the Armed Forces he served in the Vietnam War. Not only did he serve his country, he also served his local community by working for 20 years in the Tifton Police Department, where he was one of the first motorcycle cops. One of Wayne’s favorite places was the VFW Post 5250 where he was the Quartermaster and called Bingo every Wednesday and Friday night. Deer hunting was a loved past time of Wayne’s, which he enjoyed with his wife and grandkids. He was a straight shooter and was always smiling and cracking jokes.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Kathleen Newton Bannister; four daughters and sons-in-law, Nicki and Frank Jones of Chula, Lisa and Dennis Furlong of Omega, Terri and Teddy Richardson of Hannibal, N.Y., and Michelle and Marvin Clark of Hannibal, N.Y.; three sons and daughters-in-law, Jody and Jessica Bannister of Tifton, Olan and Karon Webb of TyTy, and Roland and Noel Waugh of Hannibal, N.Y.; eleven grandchildren, Jake and Sierra Jones, Kelsey Jones, Ashlyn Jones and fiancé Alex Mattle, Haley Webb, Alan Webb, Colten Bannister, Aiden Vickers, Landen Bannister, Nick Yeary, Harlee Cason, and Blake Cason; great grandchildren, Jackson Bannister, Grayce Yeary, and Chloe Watson; his sister, Linda Katchinska of Greenville, Texas, and his brother, Charles Bannister of Tifton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please send donations to the VFW Post 5250. The address is 410 Victory Drive, Tifton, Ga. 31794.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.