Jean Bankhead

Jean M. Bankhead, 95, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, in Stone Mountain, GA.

Jean was born October 23, 1927, to Andrew J. and Hope M. Mohr. She grew up in Heber City,

Utah, and attended Wasatch High School. She went to Utah State University where she joined

the Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity, played the lead role in a college production of Joan of Arc, and

graduated with a degree in English.

Jean married Orsen W. (Bud) Bankhead on February 1, 1950. Bud’s career with General

Electric Credit Corporation (GECC) had them relocating frequently to various cities throughout

the Western states including Utah, Southern California, Washington, and Colorado. Their four

children were born in Salt Lake City, Glendale, Garden Grove, and Seattle.

The family moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 1969. Jean worked for the University of Colorado

School of Law for several years. She was admitted to the University of Denver and graduated

with a masters degree in Library Science. She enjoyed a career as Reference Librarian for the

US Department of Commerce for both the Bureau of Standards and NOAA at the Boulder Labs

until her retirement in 1995. She was an active member and officer in numerous library services

professional organizations. After retirement, she was a volunteer at the Boulder Public Library.

Jean loved reading, sewing, gardening, playing bridge, attending yoga classes, and researching

family history and genealogy. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Alumni group and

served on the House Board for a number of years. She was a member of the Women of the

West Museum founded in Boulder, CO, in 1991. Jean was a member of the Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed serving in the church library, teaching in the young

women program, and directing roadshows.

In 2007 Jean moved to the Park Springs Senior Living Community in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

She volunteered in the Members library, joined two book clubs, played in three bridge groups,

and organized a low vision support group. She served on the Members Association Health and

Wellness Committee and later the Finance Committee. Jean was admitted to the NSDAR

(National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution) in 1980 and transferred her

membership to the Baron Dekalb Chapter in Atlanta. She joined the Boulder Chapter CB of

P.E.O in 1997 and transferred her membership to the Lilburn Chapter AJ in 2008.

Jean is preceded in death by her father and mother, husband, and son, Stuart A. Bankhead.

She is survived by her brother James E. Mohr of St. George, UT; her daughters Gayle

Bankhead and Karen B. Heiss (Kurt) both of Stone Mountain, GA; her son Philip W. Bankhead

(Rhonda) of Minden, NV; eight grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

The family will have a celebration of life event at a future date at the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints in Tucker, Georgia. Condolences may be sent to Gayle Bankhead, 5604

Bowers Rd, Stone Mountain, GA 30087. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made

in Jean’s name to the Center for the Visually Impaired at 739 West Peachtree Street NW,

Atlanta, GA 30308 (www.cviga.org).

The family would like to thank the staff at both Pebblebrook at Park Springs and INS Hospice for

the professional and compassionate care they provided to Jean, and their kindness and support

to the family.