Cody Banks

Cody Lee Banks unexpectedly left his earthly home on Sunday Nov 9, 2025 to be with our Lord and Savior

His parents, Raymond Timothy Banks and Tronette Lee Salmans-Banks; and his two older brothers, Dorian Raymond and Zayd Lyndell, excitedly welcomed him into this world on July 21, 2003, completing their family unit.

From the very first day, Cody was the light of all their lives. His big brothers always protecting over him with a watchful eye. They lovingly held and gave him endless kisses at bedtime. Sometimes, his big brothers wanted him to do the things they did, much sooner than he was able; with that said, Cody had to learn to walk at 8 months, because he was exhausted from getting drug across the floor. It wasn’t long before he learned to stand up for himself and stop tolerating his brothers shenanigans. Cody never was shy to let his brothers, or anyone else for that matter, know how he felt about something. Cody was not one to back down from any situation; he wasn’t built that way. Cody also had a knack, that he fine-crafted, for irritating his big brothers, to a point of rage, and soon enough, the chase would be on! We can forevermore recall Dorian screaming “I’m gonna kill him!” as they ran through the house and out in the yard! Dorian was 5yrs older than Cody and much larger, but that never mattered to Cody, not one lick; he knew his capability, and that was his speed! It’s uncertain if Cody was actually faster or just that his will to not be murdered by one of his brothers was stronger. Cody could run forever without tiring, and it didn’t hurt that he also had no fear of heights, so he either out-ran ‘em or out-climbed ‘em to save his own hide

Cody went all his years of schooling, pre-school through Senior high school, at Hi-Plains School District, graduating in May 2022.

Cody played all the sports from a young age. Starting out from 3rd grade, playing youth football for Burlington in the NWKS Football League, the Burlington Youth Basketball Travel Team, as well as Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball teams. Being a Burlington Cougar set his passion for sports and he developed life-long friendships with his teammates from Burlington. Football was his favorite sport by far.

In high school, Cody tried out for the USA football team at a try-out in Denver and he advanced to the try-outs in Dallas, TX, in July 2019, where he competed with hundreds of other athletes vying for a spot on the USA 17U team. He received a letter that September that he was chosen as one of 3 running backs for the team and in Jan 2020 Cody got to play at AT&T stadium in Dallas, TX; and his team won. His coach there invited him to automatically be on the team again the following year, but COVID arrived and shut those plans down.

Throughout high school, Cody lettered in football, basketball and track at Hi-Plains School and he excelled in all 3. He also joined the Stratton Eagles baseball team his Senior year, but a shoulder injury that required surgery, stopped his season short.

Cody was an athlete through and through and a dominant force to be reckoned with, to be sure. We are certain Dorian and Zayd credit themselves for Cody’s speed!

Growing up, Cody lost his beloved PaPa when he was only 3 years old, but he never lost the memory of him. He kept PaPa alive in his heart always. Cody loved all things about the farm and his Uncle Herschell taught him all the things that PaPa wasn’t there to teach him. Cody had a passion for John Deere tractors and he loved farming, ranching, fishing, camping, and he was proud to be a country boy. Between Cody, his brothers, and his cousin, Landon Salmans, there never seemed to be a dull moment on the farm. The boys were getting it done and sometimes tearing it up, mostly just costing money either way.

Cody worked for many local farmers during the summers throughout jr. high and high school (Watermann Harvesting, McCaffrey Farms, Cary Hatfield Farm, Penny Ranch); anything he could do in order to avoid helping his parents with their catering business. He also worked a summer for Hastings Excavating and he made a lasting impression on all of his employers. He was a hard worker, unless it was catering!

His Senior year, it was a tough choice, deciding whether he wanted to pursue his life-long passion for John Deere Tractors and become a Diesel Technician (as PaPa always “read” the tractor flyers to the boys as if they were story book novels), or pursue a career in the electrical high line profession. He finally settled on the latter.

Cody and his cousin Landon did almost everything side by side and, so, off they went in Aug. 2022 to Mesa Hotline School at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, CO.

They were joined there by Cody’s childhood friend, Ty Marcum, and ended up all being roommates in college along with Kastin Roths. There’s not enough space in an entire book to speak of the shenanigans those 4 boys got in to while on the other side of the mountain, nor would it be appropriate. All of the mothers were just relieved to not have to gather bail money during the course of that one year. Somehow, they all managed to graduate with their lineman certifications in May 2023.

Cody quickly found employment with Brink Constructors and he was off to Rapid City, SD for orientation and job training. His job with Brink had him working in many different states, including MN, ND, TX, WY, CO. The first winter in MN, he would call home and say how cold it was there he couldn’t feel his fingers in his gloves. But, Cody was a hard worker and he always stuck it out (unless it was catering!) and he hoped he wouldn’t be in MN for long.

In spring 2025, Cody moved jobs and started working for MasTec, and that had him traveling to MO, CO and TX for work. He was supposed to next be going to AL and he was really excited for that. However, one fateful night changed all of that, and Fort Worth,TX became his final destination here on earth.

In his 22 years, Cody made numerous friends and touched many lives. Those whom knew him used the following words to best describe him: loyal, loving, caring, kind, funny, ornery, grumpy, athletic, determined, driven, confident, tough, protective; just to name a few. He was beautiful, he was bold, he loved big, he was authentic - you always knew where you stood with Cody, and he was full of life. Above all, to know Cody was to love him and his absence will leave a large hole in the hearts of many.

Those left to hold Cody’s memory dear to their hearts are his parents, Raymond & Tronette Banks. His brothers: Dorian (Christina ) Banks; Zayd Banks. Grandmothers: Janice Salmans; Jean Banks. Aunts/Uncles/Cousins: Herschell (Nicole) Salmans - Landon Salmans; Larissa Salmans; James (Tonia) Salmans; Michael Henderson - Tony Henderson; Michelle Henderson; Barbara (Ron) Shamley - Rashia Banks; Ron Shamley II; Madrienne Shamley-Epps; LaRonda Shamley; Jeanette (Andre) Crockett - Janae Crockett; Jordyn Crockett; Elizabeth (Darryl) Brooks - Darryl Banks; Robert Banks II; Half-Sisters: Salina Curtis; Crystal Banks; Rosalyn Banks; Raegan Reon; Nephews: Sincere Washington; Adrian Walker; Averi Walker, Pierce Shackelford; Major Reon; Carlito Garcia; Santiago Hernandez; and Niece Ciria Hernandez; many extended great aunts & uncles and numerous friends.

Cody was preceded in death by his Grandfathers: his beloved PaPa, Lyndell Lee Salmans and Robert Harry Banks as well as his oldest half-sister: Radianne Tamikah Banks.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers please make a donation

to the family in c/o TBK Bank, Stratton, CO. Or Eastern Colorado Bank Burlington, Colorado 80807