Guest books may go offline, but memories of my pal Banks will live with me til my last breath. Thank you for everything, dear friend. God bless. 
See you on the other side, 
"Denny Boy"

"Banks with shock we found out today that you passed away in November.  We had been trying to get a hold of you for a long time.  We could not understand why we called and texted and emailed and no response....then we googled your name. Denny is heartbroken at the news of the passing of his dear sweet friend that was never wavering in his friendship, kindness, and support.  Banks I found you to be smart and kind and loved to talk about history with you and Dennis.  I enjoyed having you visit my home and cooking for you and enjoyed staying with you up in Breck with me and Denny and my boys.  The boys will never forget making that huge puzzle at your house in Breck.  I will never forget rescuing you when your tires blew in that bad part of Denver or picking you up from the hospital after the ski/snowboard accident a few years ago and taking you home and making sure you were okay.  You will be dearly missed, Denny will have a hole in his heart and miss your friendship forever.  Prayers to you always and your family. " - Emily

Banks was there. Always there. Never wavered. He never asked for much, just gave to me and mine over and over. He fiercely defended his pal and fiercely celebrated when the good times rolled again. No more golf or sports/politics/how you doin'? weekly phone calls. I will miss my friend. Too soon brother. Too soon. Rest in peace, Banksy.

Does anyone know where the gravesite is?would like to go pay respects to this man

It is with the greatest sadness that I learned of Banks passing. He was an amazing friend, awesome ski buddy, fantastic chef and had an amazing gift of making you always feel welcome. He guided me when times were tough, we laughed and rejoiced in the world. He was too tall for our house but always welcome. 
God bless him and keep him safe.

lee sky

With great sadness we received the news today. you were always a good friend so loving and caring, We miss you! 
Your forever friends form Colorado...
Carolina and Lee Sky

Tribute to My Best Friend of My Wonder Years
by
Timmy Bell
December 11, 2016

Banks Simpson was my brother from another mother during my Wonder Years, which spanned our Fishweir and Lakeshore years. And, by the way, his mother was the kindest and most beautiful of all the other mothers in the neighborhood.  She always made me feel welcomed and at home in their home.  Amy and Rae Mac were great playmates, too.  I lived at the end of Charon Road in the 2nd house from Park Street and Banks lived a block away, midway between Park Street and Fishweir School.

I used to hang out at the Simpson's where we would play board games and poker.  Often, we would go play in what we called the back field which later was transformed into Fishweir Park.  The back field had some junk piles dumped in it, which was a gold mine for us youngsters.  We were always finding something new and interesting in the junk.  We would dig forts into the sand, climb the trees and play out cowboys and Indians or army fantasies.  One day we were picking blackberries in the back field and Banks stepped in a hole and twisted his ankle.  It did not seem serious to me and I think I helped him a bit as we walked back to his house.  The next day when I went to see Banks, he was in a cast.  He had broken his ankle.  I felt really bad, actually guilty, that I had not recognized the seriousness of the accident and comforted him accordingly.  I must have been a jinx to Banks.  Another time, we were playing catch in my back yard.  I was pretending to be the major league pitcher with Banks as the catcher.  At one point, I did my windup and threw my pitch.  Banks had looked aside momentarily and the ball hit him on his cheek.  Once again, I was shocked and felt guilty when on the next day I saw him with a mouth full of wires.  I had broken his jaw.     

During the summer of '61, Banks Simpson and I built a boat.  I know it was this year because, as we built the boat in my front yard, we had a transistor radio nearby and it was regularly reporting the Mantle/Maris race for Ruth's record of 60 home runs.  We built the boat in my front yard because my Dad, an aircraft mechanic who worked at NAS JAX, had a more extensive set of tools. We used a piece of plywood that had housed Banks' train set for the bottom of the boat.  We went to Covington Lumber Company, owned by Dent Covington's father, to buy lumber for the port and starboard sides and the front and transom.  We fashioned the boat after one that Dent had in a creek behind his house.  We must have put in over a thousand screws during construction.  Then, we filled it with water to check for leaks.

When finished, somehow we transported the boat from my house on down Park Street past Billy Crosby's, Robbie Kenyon's, Jan Gentry's and finally Al Miner's houses to the point at which Fishweir Creek intersects with Roosevelt Blvd.  We launched the boat and paddled all the way through the creek and out into Ortega River, past Sadler Point where a fine-figured girl was sunbathing in a bikini, and onward a bit into the St. Johns River.  We stripped to our underwear, jumped off the boat and swam a bit.  Then we realized there was no way to get back into the boat with capsizing it.  Pulling the boat, we swam to the nearest dock and used it to get back on board. It was a great adventure and we were very proud of what we had accomplished.

A day or two later, we thought it would be a good idea to use a small kicker owned by Billy Crosby's father to speed up and ease our trip up and out of the creek. We mounted the kicker firmly on the transom, loaded all of us on board, and proceeded to crank the motor.  Upon first pull, the transom broke and we looked down and saw it and the motor on the bottom of the creek bed.  We retrieved the motor, put it back on the little red wagon we had used to haul it to the creek, and proceeded back up the hill on Park Street with water draining out of the motor's cowling in several places.  I think Billy caught hell for that one, and that was the end of our Das Boot adventure.  I must have told this story to my children a dozen or more times.  It was a great adventure with my best friend Banks.

Banks was the smart one, the cool and collected one, while I was the loud and hyper one.  We used to ride the bus together to Lakeshore Junior High.  Sometimes, we would get off the bus early, at the San Juan and Blanding intersection, and walk down Bayview to the school, just talking and hanging together.  I remember that on cold mornings we both wore our London Fog trench coats with our linings zipped in. Banks ran for class president one year, not too long after JFK had been inaugurated. Banks ended his election speech by imitating Kennedy's famous line:  Ask not what your school can do for you; ask what you can do for your school.  I was so impressed that he had the confidence to do that.  At that age, I was petrified at the thought of speaking in front of a group.     

I could go on and on but suffice it to say that with Banks' passing, a piece of my insides has, too, passed. I will remember our Wonder Years for as long as I remain.  And when I pass, I hope that Banks and I can rejoin and build another boat.

To Anne and Amy, I remember you as if it was just yesterday. I want you to know how much the time I spent with Banks and your family meant to me, and continues to mean to me.

With love,

Tim (Timmy) Bell

Please accept my sincere condolences to Banks' family during this time of loss and sadness.  Banks loved his family dearly.

Banks and I shared some wonderful memories years ago.  He pushed my adventuresome spirit...and I am grateful to have had those experiences.   May he rest in peace.  And, may his family hold on to their precious memories.  I am so sorry for your loss.
Debbie

I met you over 25 years ago, we became very close. You comforted my children, cooked really good dinners( always shared your lobster catches ) and even did handyman work around my house. If I called you, you were there and now you won't be.  I still have trouble grasping this tragedy. My heart goes out to your Mom and sister. You will be missed my friend.

Her thoughts and Prayers are with all of you during this time. - Carol Dorsey

Though I did not know Banks other than by name, I look forward to seeing and being with him in Eternity! Sounds like a wonderful man, but most of all, I praise our heavenly Father for Bank's faith and salvation in Christ.
My sincere condolences to all the family and friends. May God's love, comfort, and grace carry you through this most difficult time.

John and Stefanie Robinson wish to share that Banks will be truly missed in our lives. He shared our wedding and bachelor party 26 years ago. His loving spirit and grace will be shared....never forgotten!!! 
We loved you Banks

I am still in disbelief and shock over the loss of such a vibrant individual. RIP dear Banks. Condolences to the family in your time of grief. God bless. Nancy Faircloth Whittemore

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Clyde Banks Simpson

10 avril 1949 – 29 novembre 2016

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