Donald Allan Banning, 70

Donald Allan Banning, 70, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at his home in Sagle, Idaho, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Don was born on March 6, 1951, in Medford, Oregon, to Robert and Juanita Banning. Life began on the family ranch (the old Sharp Ranch) in Fort Jones, California, where he attended both elementary and high school. He then attended the College of the Siskiyou’s in Weed, California, where he studied forestry and wildness management. Early on, he learned that hard work and family were priorities and key for success, traits he never wavered from throughout his life. As a young man he worked on the family ranch and helped with the family farm and feed store.

Like most young men in Scott Valley, Don spent his summers hauling hay and moving sprinkler lines. As a young boy he also spent many of his summers moving sheep and cattle with his neighbor, Bernard Davidson, in the Marble Mountains and it began his love of all things associated with the mountains. He learned how to pack and manage strings of mules which lead him to working as a wilderness patrolman for the USFS on the Klamath National Forest after graduating high school. Then on the Big Sur National Forest, where he packed strings of mules and horses to work trails and fires while serving as ombudsman of wilderness practices. He later returned to Fort Jones in 1975 to join his father in running Banning Pump and Irrigation.

Don married the love of his life, Holly Hanlon, on August 28, 1976, in Reno, Nevada. They then made their home in Fort Jones where they later added two daughters to their family. Don continued to work with his father at Banning Pump and Irrigation, later taking over when Bob retired. In 1991 the family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, where they purchased and operated the Pastime Sports Center on First Avenue until the store closed in 2001. Don went on to work for Panhandle Pump and Irrigation and later retired from Quest Aircraft in 2020.

Don loved anything related to the Old West. He enjoyed historical archives and spent much of his time collecting and trading western firearms. He had an almost uncanny knowledge of firearms and respected their history and valor in our past and loved sharing or helping others learn about them. He loved and revered his country and held all that served our military in highest respect. A passing flag or national anthem always humbled him.

As an avid outdoorsman, he loved spending time in the mountains. Whether it was archery, hunting, camping, or taking his girls for a drive to enjoy the views, he was always happiest when in the woods. He was active for many years in the Bonner County Sportsman’s Association, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sandpoint Archery Club and most recently in the Foundation 4 Wildlife Management. He believed passionately in conservation and responsible sportsmanship and was a strong supporter of F4WM’s mission. He was honored beyond words when recently recognized by the F4WM with the Tony McDermott Conservation Award for his efforts in helping to maintain Idaho wildlife resources.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 45 years, Holly Banning of Sagle; two daughters, Kelli Wells of Pleasant View, Tennessee, and Kimberly (Matt) Gabica of Weiser, Idaho; grandson, Carson Wells of Chattanooga, Tennessee; brother, Mike Banning of San Diego, California; and close and forever friends, Bob and Colleen Ankersmit of Sandpoint, and Bob and Leona Flowers of Post Falls, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Foundation 4 Wildlife Management at www.foundationforwildlifemanagement.org or mailed to F4WM, Box 821 Ponderay, ID 83852.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Don’s memorial page at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.