Paul James Bankhead

On November 12, 2010 Paul J. Bankhead of Heron, MT went home to be with the lord. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM, MST, Saturday, November 20, 2010 in the Heron Community Center, Heron, Montana. Pastor Barry Johnson, New Song Bible Church, will officiate with interment following in the Heron Cemetery. Paul was born on July 19, 1950 to Armand and Evelyn Bankhead in Livermore, California. He was raised on a family ranch, farming in four counties. In 1966 they moved to Riverbank, California. He graduated in 1968, the first Riverbank High School Student Body President. Active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) Paul served as Vice-President at the state level from 1968 to 1969 and received his American Farmer Degree, the highest attainable merit, in 1970. The most famous motion that Paul made during his FFA career was to allow girls to be members. In 1971 Paul moved to Sandpoint, Idaho where he started a sheep ranch. During this time he began his walk with the Lord. He returned to Riverbank, CA and in 1976 he married Joyce Morisoli, and they started their family together. In 1982 the family moved to Heron, MT where they began their hog ranch. He won the national award – “Pork All American” in 1989 for the State of Montana. Paul dedicated many hours and served on: Heron School Board, Church Boards, Sanders County Fair Board, Pork Producers Board, Board of Housing, and Sanders County Republican party. He decided to run for public office because he always said, “in order to make a difference you have to get involved”. He was elected as House of Representative HD72 in 1996. He loved serving the people of Montana. Paul was also an author, inventor, wildland firefighter, and trucker. Paul was well known for spending time with his family, serving the Lord, hunting, fishing, and always lending a helping hand. His greatest tribute of all was his Christian example and legacy. He will be greatly missed by his wife, 5 children, 2 grandchildren, adopted children, family and friends. If you would like to make a donation to the family, an account is set up at the First Security Bank in Thompson Falls, or the Sanders County Cancer Network, or the NewHopeUganda.orgministry