Douglas Wayne O'Banion

Douglas Wayne O’Banion passed away peacefully at Vidant Heart Institute, Greenville, NC, on February 11, 2019, with family around him. Douglas was born in Many, Louisiana, the third child of Henry and Myrtis O’Banion. Douglas was preceded in death by his wife and life-long love, Daphne. He was a loving father to, Sharon (Rudy) Mim, Robert (Renee) O’Banion and Shawn O’Banion. A fun-loving grandfather to, Rhiannon Mim, Douglas Mim, Timothy O’Banion, Grace O’Banion and Ella O’Banion and great-grandchildren, Alexander Mim, Dominic Mim and Annabelle Mim. They loved to watch him wiggle his ears. Douglas loved to hunt and fish and spent many weekends during hunting season at Bull Bay Hunt club in Smokes, SC. John Wayne and Country music were favorites and he was always up for a fish fry. Unfortunately, when his health declined, he was unable to do what he loved the most, having bar-b-ques with all his friends present. Douglas joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951. He trained as a firefighter and for food service. He cooked for pilots in the flight kitchen in North Africa, Turkey and England. He met Daphne, while stationed at Bentwater AFB, England, at a New Years’ Eve party. They married in 1958 and had daughter, Sharon. They were transferred to McClellan AFB in North Highlands, CA in 1960. Here he served in the Mess Hall and, occasionally as a firefighter when wildfires were in season. Son, Robert, was born here. In 1965 Douglas was sent to Vietnam and Daphne, with the children, moved to Louisiana to live near Douglas’ family. When he returned in 1966, they were transferred to High Wycomb AFB in England. Son, Shawn, was born during this stay. In 1970 they were transferred to Myrtle Beach AFB. Douglas retired from the Air Force in 1971 and the family moved back to California where they had a home purchased from the previous stay there. In 1972, the family made the move back to the Myrtle Beach area where they settled in Socastee. Douglas worked on Myrtle Beach AFB, until its closing, in the Commissary as a meat cutter. When the base closed, Douglas and Daphne, made a move to Killeen, Texas. Where Douglas worked in the Commissary at Fort Hood. He retired from the Civil Service in 1994 and returned to Socastee until 1999 when they moved to Conway, SC. They moved to Greenville, NC, in 2017 to be with Sharon and Rudy. When he passed, he was a resident at Universal Healthcare and the family would like to thank the staff there for their constant kindness and caring. Funeral Services will be held 11am Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Homewood Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Cashion officiating. Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Mausoleum with full military honors. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the following, in memory of Douglas: Disabled American Veterans www.DAV.org

Douglas Wayne O'Banion

August 8, 1933 - February 11, 2019