Herbert Jackson "H.J." Banks

March 14, 1950 - September 18, 2020

H. J. Banks passed peacefully to be with the Lord on Friday, September 18, 2020 in Englewood, Florida while surrounded by his loving family. H. J. had endured a two-year battle with cancer. Herbert Jackson (H. J.) was born to Cowley and Dollie (Nowell) Banks on March 14, 1950 in Elk City, Oklahoma. H. J. grew up in Willow, Oklahoma and graduated from Granite High School, class of ’68. He attended college at Oklahoma State University and graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. He was married to Linda Currier in May of 1970. Their daughter Carrie was born January 1, 1972. The family then moved to sunny Florida in January of 1973. When they took off from Oklahoma there was about a foot of snow on the ground. Initially, they made their home in Tampa, Florida and then his work took them to Jackson, Mississippi for a few years. Daughter Katy was born while they were in Jackson, however, they soon returned to Lake Worth, Florida to raise the girls. H. J. had an aptitude for patiently instructing others and a genuine concern for their welfare. He was recruited to work for the Southwestern Publishing Company as a sales representative when he was still in high school. They trained him for door-to-door sales of Bibles and Bible libraries. His first summer with the company was spent in southern Mississippi. He continued with this company for summer employment throughout his college years. As a young boy H. J. had accepted Christ, and he was currently a member of the First Baptist Church of Venice, Florida. His career focus remained in the area of sales and management. In his early years he was a store manager with a building supply company that later became Home Depot. Later, as a regional sales representative with Andersen Windows, he earned the Division Sales Representative of the Year Award and was the President’s Club Trip Award winner in 2004. He also received “excellence” awards for his outstanding sales in 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2017. He retired in February of 2018 after what his regional sales manager, Dan Brahler, described as “an outstanding 18-year career with Andersen Windows.” H. J. loved playing golf and the opportunity to spend time with his good friends on and off the golf course. Also, he enjoyed watching air shows and studying the combat history of fighter pilots. This interest inspired him to earn his pilot’s license. He pursued scuba diving for a time, was an avid reader, and greatly enjoyed following his favorite sports teams. The main joy of his life was being Dad to Carrie and Katy, and then becoming “Papa Jack” to his six grandchildren. He delighted in cheering on the grandchildren in their sports and other activities. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cowley and Dollie Banks, and his brother, Carl Banks. His survivors include daughter, Carrie Banks, and children, Eli, Corbin, and Ashlan Cole of Englewood, Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Katy and John Murray, and their children, Jake, Lily, and Lucy Murray of Granite, Oklahoma. One sister, Elizabeth Jean and her husband Ben Van Vacter of Mustang, Oklahoma; three nieces: Patti, Karel, and Cameron; two nephews: Clint and Kasey, as well as numerous other relatives and friends. A special “thank you” to Patience Williams, RN, for the tender loving care she provided so capably during H. J.’s illness. PLEASE JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF HJ BANKS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2020 AT ONE OF HIS FREQUENTED RESTAURANTS, "DUFFY'S SPORTS GRILL" WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND GOLF BUDDIES. DUFFY'S SPORTS GRILL IS LOCATED AT 3005 UNIVERSITY PKWY, SARASOTA, FL 34243. WE WILL OPEN THE ROOM AT 11:30 TO MINGLE, SHARE STORIES AND VIEW KEY ARTIFACTS OF HIS LIFE OVER MANY DECADES. LIGHT APPETIZERS AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED. THE EULOGY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 12:30 PM AND IS OPEN TO THE ATTENDEES TO OFFER STORIES, ACCOLADES AND COMMENTARY. PLEASE RSVP TO ENSURE WE ARE PROPERLY PREPARED Online condolences can be made by visiting www.peoplescooperativefuneralhome.com