Grandps

JAMES BANKS Jr. 

James William Banks, Jr. "One of a Kind" James William Banks, Jr., born January 14, 1932, passed away peacefully at home August 2, 2010. Some of his relatives called him Red, others Billy, and to his close friends and family, his name is Jim. He loved race cars, motorcycles, boats, Tootsie (beloved dog), and his truck. He loved to take his family to the mountains, take long road trips, and reminisce about how things used to be. Jim could repair or build almost anything from scratch. He didn't need directions, he just naturally made it all work. He loved to be with his family, dearly loved his wife, Elsie, for 61 years, and would do anything for his family. Jim is survived by his wife, Elsie May Banks; his children, Larry (Deana) Banks, Judy (Hank) Bertoch, Jamie (Rick) Kenner, Cindy (Craig) Grant, and Karl (Lisa) Banks; 23 grandchildren, and 45 great-grand children. When he wanted to go home, he always said, "Come on, let's head for the barn." He is on the road headed home. Dad, you are "one of a kind", and you will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be held at Redwood Memorial, 6500 S. Redwood Road, 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 6. The family will greet friends and relatives from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., just prior to the service.

My sweet Grandpa passed away yesterday. I am filled with so much sorrow and so much love. I think we all had our own little relationship with Grandpa nobody's was quite the same. There was no one like Grandpa he was one of the funniest, grumpiest, and most hard working guys that I have ever known. Although he liked to come across big and bad he had such a giant heart and would do anything for anyone. He had friends and relationships everywhere throughout the state. He loved life and lived life.As I have been looking through all of his photos I have been overwhelemed with the life that he led. He came from absolutely nothing and him and Grandama made a beautiful, fun, busy life together. I can't believe all of the things that they got to experience with each other and all of the places that they got to go. When I think of my grandpa I think of  his dirty jokes, and travelling all over the state with him. I haven't always been super close with him but these past couple of years I have grown to love him and know him so much  more then I ever have.

I wrote about this before when my aunt passed away but I can't help but feel so grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and of my Savior. I know Grandpa is in a better place and is being taken care of. I know that we will see him and laugh with him again. This knowledge brings such a peace and calmness to my heart. As we sat together yesterday planning the funeral my poor grandma asked quietly if we believed or thought that we would ever see him again. I think that sometimes I take for granted the knowledge that I do have. My heart went out to her as she sat there on her couch thinking of how she just lost her life long love of 61 years. I don't think I will ever forget the memory of watching my Grandma watch as they took his body and drove away. There was such love and sadness in her eyes. And although those two fought back and forth 90% of the time, I know that they loved each other to pieces.

Last week madi insisted that we go say hi to my grandpa as Sunday afternoon rolled around both matt and I really didn't want to. We had no idea he had been sick and we just thought maybe we would go another day. But we ended up going anyway and I am so glad that we did. I really feel like we were guided in going to see him and had I ignored that feeling right now, today I would be feeling horrible.

Thankfully many of his family and friends were able to go say their goodbyes and express their love to him. I kind of believe that people know when they are about to die. My grandma said that he had called everyone over so he could tell them how much he loved them and that on Sunday night when the last person had left he told her ok I can go now, and then the next morning he died.

I hope to be more open with my feelings and more real with my relationships. Life is too short to not be. I loved my Grandpa and he will be greatly missed by both Matt and I.