Jack "Skip" Marvin Banks Jr.

2015 in the comfort of his home, after a long struggle with the debilitating disease,

MSA. Jack, or “Skip” to those who knew him well, was born on April 12, 1944, in

Honolulu, O’ahu and spent his formative years on the windward side, in Kailua.

Coming from a family that loved the ocean, Skip learned to surf on a long board at

Kailua shore break, graduating to the waves at Flat Island and later as a teenager, his

favorite north shore waves at Velzyland. Sailing started just as early and by the time he

was in his twenties he and his father had earned over a dozen first place awards. Skip

enjoyed recounting one notable experience in which he showed a tourist family the

ocean view of Oahu in his family’s Cal 25 sailboat. A few months later, he received a

surprise letter of gratitude from the Prime Minister of Ontario, thanking him for his

time.

Skip graduated from Kailua High School, Class of 1962, and attended the University

of Hawai’i, Manoa campus, where he earned a bachelor’s of science degree in tropical

agriculture. He later attended Chaminade University, where he received a master’s

degree in business administration while working for C. Brewer & Co. Skip worked for

a number of years with the sugar plantations on Kaua’i and Hawai’i Island before

moving to Maui in 1984. On Maui, Skip established his own business and became a

successful farmer, continuing to pursue what would become a lifetime career in

agriculture. Well known for his grade A cucumbers and onions, Skip supplied

vegetables to the Maui and west coast markets, restaurants and hotels. His greatest joys

of farming were the many people he met and the friends he made along the way.

As Skip moved closer to retirement, he rekindled his lifelong passion of

photography. He cherished time spent with newfound friends as they worked together

to fine tune their skills; and Skip soon became immersed in a world of surf and

landscape photography. Growing up as a third generation island boy, Skip had a deep

love for the islands. He was able to partner those emotions along with his photographic

eye, into the richness he would capture in his photos. Skip was best known for his

dogged nature when pursing personal truths, as well as being an earnest fun-loving

man with everyone he met. He is survived by his loving wife Diane, brother Peter, two

sons Jack Banks, III and Ian, daughter Becky and five grandchildren. The Banks family

would like to extend a heartfelt mahalo to the many caregivers who passionately cared

for Skip so that he could remain at home throughout his illness.

A private ceremony will be held to celebrate his life. Condolences may be made to:

www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Donations in his name are welcome to Hospice Maui