AN ANGELS GOODBYE
Yesterday, another iconic figure from my past answered the midnight cry. T.O. "Junior" Banks, stepped across the river Jordan to begin his first ten thousand years.
Uncle Junior appeared in my life in my adolescent years and made an indelible impression on me. He spent his life building a legacy, a legacy of love, dedication, honor and loyalty.
My earliest memories of him was wat...ching him build his first home for his family, he would work his regular job and then would work every spare moment to complete a house that his family would have shelter. In later years, he built his family their final home in Crockertown and this took several years to build, and as far as I know, he built it complete by himself. Not many young men today would have that dedication and work ethic to tackle such a gargantuan task, while maintaining a full-time job. He purchased a concrete block machine and installed it in his backyard, so he could make block for his home and for others, several older homes in Odenville built from Uncle Junior's block. While many of those from the "greatest generation" exhibited this dedication none in Odenville displayed any more dedication to his family than him.

After his dad died, Uncle Junior became the fix-it man for his mom, and while is sisters took care of his mom's emotional needs and caretaking, Uncle Junior made sure his mom's home was safe, secure and functioning, no man ever honored his mom more than Uncle Junior. God followed through on His promise to allow him to live a long time on earth and I attribute that to him being a fine son, who honored his parents.

Uncle Junior and his Lovely Bride were married over 50 years and during all those years, I never heard a crossword between the two. Uncle Junior dedicated himself to his lovely wife and times on the golf course, hunting or fishing, or barhopping was never to be found in his life. This great couple were all about each other and their children and it showed in their lifestyle and habits.

My favorite memory of him came when I was about eight or nine years old, all of us kids were playing in the yard and being kids we started fussing, and feuding. Well Uncle Junior told us to stop it or he was going to take a belt to us and being kids we thought that maybe he would at least count to ten before he would actually spank us. We were so wrong, after ignoring his instructions, he lined us up and went from the front to the back. I remember running home squawling to tell mama on him, but by the time I arrived, I begin to think, he showed no difference between his own children, nieces and nephews than he did me. From that day forward, I have always loved him. As the years went on, Uncle Junior, made many impressions on me and all of them were positive, he truly was a giant of a man, who showed the way for another generation! 

Odenville has truly lost an icon and he will be sorely missed, but he has left a legacy for so many. To my "cousins", I would say this, your dad has left you a precious gift, the gift of a good name. As you walk through life, walk it proud, for your daddy was Thomas Oscar Banks Jr!

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Thomas O. Banks

December 31, 1923 – January 11, 2013

Kilgroe Funeral Home

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