LeRoy W. Banks

It is my father's wish that you have joy and celebration when thinking of him. He lived 95 years. Born in Birmingham, Alabama. He was the son of Gurlee Banks and Lilley Mae Talley. He loved his family and was so proud of all the young and the size of the generations. He had a sense of humor and knew how to see the positive in the worst of circumstances and applied that laughter of life to the end. His childhood was mared with the violence of the south. So much so that he was moved as a boy to Chicago to live with his Aunt Ula and Uncle Grover. There he stayed until returning to Alabama where rather than be a coal miner he joined the Army for WWII. He was stationed in France, living in Nice for a year. He later grew to love Art and Style of Nice and it was reflected in his magnificent interior design. He became fluent in French. Upon returning, faced with coal mining or school on his GI Bill he attended and graduated Atlanta University then continued to Moorehouse College where he sang in the choir, joined the Alpha fraternity and graduated 1949 with a Masters Degree in Sociology. Being a Moorehouse man was a great accomplishment he shared and enjoyed throughout his life. He oozed classical black culture and was a Washington D.C. Socialite along with Belafonte's and McPherrin's as well as great Black Scientist like Charles R. Drew and Howard University's renown physicians many of whoms wives and husbands were his close friends. He was one of last of his generation and the last in our families Elders. He met Marjorie Banks and married. They lived in Washington for five years then he along with his wife's extended family moved to New York. They remained married for 59 years in separate states as he remained in Tacoma, Washington. He maintained a teaching job in Baltimore and retired at 65 as the Head of the schools Math department from 1954-1984. He truly enjoyed countless gatherings with his many friends and family. He loved Art and Elegance. His speech was impeccable as his cloths. A sense of style that influenced everyone he interacted with. Also a keen love of literature and history. With classmates such as Martin Luther King Jr. And LeRone Bennett he was a consummate American Historian and took great pride in his generations accomplishments. He enjoyed cooking all varieties of classical dishes, southern and tide water being his best. In his last years he counseled us and enjoyed Walter Mosely and The New Yorker Magazine. He remained progressive. My father possessed elegance, style and grace in all ways of life. A type A personality who said he got on his own nerves at the pursuit of perfection. He believed in being true to himself and to enjoy life thoroughly. Live well, Love much, Laugh Often We will miss you Mr. Banks indeed.