Alan Merrill Banks

On January 22, 1949, the world welcomed a force to be reckoned with — Alan Merrill Banks. Alan teed off on the 19th hole on April 14th, 2024. Alan was the second of four siblings, and the undisputed favorite. (Don’t bother fact-checking that, it’s what he would have wanted.) At Pleasant Grove High School, Alan excelled at all team sports. He served an LDS mission in South Africa, where he smuggled home a diamond for Sharon’s engagement ring. He graduated from BYU with a degree in Zoology and attended medical school at the University of Utah, where he became an Orthopedic Surgeon. Many reading this may have new knees, hips, or shoulders thanks to Alan’s expertise. Despite his many professional accomplishments, Alan’s greatest joy was his family. He loved his wife Sharon deeply and even tolerated years at the theater for her sake. After her passing, he made daily e-bike pilgrimages to her grave, proving that love knows no bounds (or mileage). As a grandfather, he was a changed man, and for a time his license plate frame read “Don’t have kids only grandkids.” His eleven grandchildren were the apple of his eye, and he was immensely proud of every one of them. They loved him just as much as he loved them. He relished family reunions, lovingly dubbed “Banks Bunch” trips, and cherished the tradition of Christmas Eve skiing. His favorite purchase, a riding lawn mower with a trailer, provided endless joyrides for his grandkids. An avid animal lover, he once held a formal funeral service for a baby hawk named “Boo.” He had a special place in his heart for his adopted white cat, (creatively named “White the Cat,”) and he loved his grand-dogs almost as much as his grandkids. Alan might have been the sole fan of the movie “Cats” on Planet Earth–a trait that was as endearing as it was baffling He was an ardent Swiftie, often quoting the lyric, “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me” with a smile. During his final months, he developed a love for Instagram. His feed was a treasure trove of cat emojis and heartfelt captions, much to the amusement of his followers. He used his social media influence to champion his most unwavering political stance: Keep Costco Hot dogs $1.50. He is also the inventor of the famed game, “Nerfis”, which much to his dismay, failed to commercialize. A die-hard sports fan, Alan’s heart was split evenly between the tennis courts and the golf greens. His Tuesday and Friday nights were perpetually reserved for his tennis group, and if you needed to find him, your best bet was his second home, Alpine Country Club. He cherished the friendships forged in competition. These men were his best friends, confidants, and his biggest champions. Many neighborhood boys remember fondly the summers where Alan coached the youth summer tennis team, traveling around Utah with a pickup bed full of boys excited to play tennis. He is survived by his sons Brett, Cory, and Rusty, their wives Kami, Lindsey, and Tara. His eleven grandkids will especially miss him. He was a guiding light in their lives and his memory will be cherished and kept alive in their stories and the countless precious moments they shared. We will all miss his big, boisterous laugh, and adventurous spirit. He leaves behind fewer aching joints for his patients, and significantly more for his tennis and golf buddies. His legacy lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, and anyone who ever shared a laugh, Smith’s sushi, or endured watching the Eras Tour with him. Per his wishes, a private family graveside gathering will be held at Highland City Cemetery, where Alan will be laid to rest beside Sharon. Additionally, we will be hosting a Nerfis party for all family and friends on his beloved tennis court. Dates will be forthcoming and posted here as they are known. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local animal foundation or simply enjoy a $1.50 hot dog in Alan’s memory.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com