Andy Banks Obituary

Name: Visitation for Andy Banks
Location: McLean Funeral Directors - Gastonia

Uniquely kind, genuinely nice, pure of spirit, big heart, without judgment, fun loving, wicked sense of humor, sweet nature, engaging smile, giving, smart, thrifty, loved his family and friends, loyal and dependable, a zest for living his life on his own terms….
Andy is and was loved by all who knew him, even those who only knew of him. He will be missed but his light will shine on as his legacy is being paid forward by his many friends.
William Anderson ("Andy") Banks Jr. was born on a cold January day, the thirty-first of 1981. He died in Raleigh, NC, on an innocent September afternoon, Saturday the twelfth, 2020, from a senseless act of violence. Thirty-nine years old, a life sadly extinguished way before its time. Family members who hold him dear to their hearts are his parents, Bill and Robin Banks of Gastonia NC, his sister Dede Smith and husband Steve of Glen Allen, VA, and their two children, Sophie (14) and Lincoln (11); his brother Mark and wife Chelsea of Raleigh, NC; his grandmother Dede Gunter of Gastonia, NC; his beloved girlfriend Taylor Folkes of Raleigh, NC; his aunt Marti Kimsey and husband Bill of Helen Ga; his uncle Mike Gunter and wife Barbara of Winston Salem, NC, and their daughter Kimberly Layton and husband Jason of Raleigh, NC, and their three children and their son Daniel Gunter III and wife Lindsay Beth of Raleigh, NC, and their two children; his aunt Peaches Blank of Nashville, TN., and her daughter Raleigh Anne Gray and husband John of Charlotte, NC.
Sophie and Lincoln adored their Uncle "Och" who was always at the ready to do their bidding. Sophie describes him as "adventurous," always on the GO. We often wondered whether Andy was domestic or international on any given weekend. The kids loved to go tubing with him at Lake Wylie. "Och" was the number one pick to share the tube on a daredevil ride with B-dot (granddaddy) at the helm. The beach at Pawleys Island, NC, was another favorite playground, passing the football with Lincoln, riding the waves--going out too far, mom and Hanna (grandmother) sprinting to the shore frantically waving their arms to get Andy's attention.
Spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, and vacations together with family was important to Andy. He and brother Mark met weekly to share a meal and countless times to watch sporting events. Mark will always remember Andy as his best friend.
Gray Walser: "For the past 37 years of my life there has been a new adventure everyday growing up with Andy. I always looked up to Andy as my brother, as a leader. He made sure everyone was happy. Andy would always remember to save me a seat wherever we went, that's just who Andy was. I have some of the most incredible memories for the rest of my life because Andy was my best friend. I loved him so much."
Bill Faulk: "Andy was my best friend and I thought of him as my brother…He enjoyed bringing people together…He was my safety net at social gatherings, reminding me who people were and laughing at me for forgetting their names. Andy knew exactly who he was and was true to himself… He was a part of every great childhood memory and he's a large part of the man I am today…I love him very much."
Brad Baker: "Andy was with me at every milestone of my life. He will stay with me far beyond the years he spent on this earth. He will continue to strengthen and encourage me. He will be a guiding light for the rest of my life."
Andy squeezed more out of his short thirty-nine years of life than most do in a lifetime. He was a gentle soul who never hurt anyone. His joy for living was shared with family and countless friends who can attest to his energy for living life to the fullest, smiling, laughing, joking. Andy, we miss you and love you.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the "Andy Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund" (North Carolina State University Wolfpack Club, PO Box 37100, Raleigh, NC 27627) and First United Methodist Church Gastonia "Weaving Campaign Building Fund," PO Box 218, Gastonia, NC 28053.
A celebration of Andy's life will be held at McLean Funeral Directors (masks required), 700 S New Hope Rd., Gastonia, NC, 28054, October 3, Saturday, at 2:00 pm. Visitation following the service. LINK for LIVE STREAMING: McLeanFuneralDirectors-Facebook.com.
Condolences may be sent online by visiting www.mcleanfuneral.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Gaston Gazette on Sep. 27, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Andy Banks

Sponsored by McLean Funeral Directors - Gastonia.

11 Entries

Brenda Crider

September 21, 2021

Still missing that smiling face of my sweet neighbor. I hope the year has allowed you to heal a little. I will never forget Andy.

October 5, 2020

Andy was the most friendly, fun loving guy. He always had the sweetest smile on his face! He will be forever missed, and I am so sorry for your loss! May you eventually find comfort in knowing Andy is in Heaven with Jesus making him smile. His life has forever changed mine! You raised a wonderful guy! May your family find peace.

Royce Robinson

October 3, 2020

We send our love and support to the Banks family. Know that we are there for you and that we treasure your friendship. Royce and May Robinson

Michael & Marilyn Dean

October 3, 2020

Bill, Robin, and family. We send our heartfelt sympathy to you all. We will keep you in our prayers during these difficult days. May Andy's memory always be eternal!

Trudy and Edward Baker

October 2, 2020

Bill, Robin and all family members of Andy's:
This is such a difficult time for all of us. But to all of you it has to be such a devastating time where you cannot think of words to say or really believe this has happened to Andy. Life has been too short for him.
The link of the chain that has been broken has to come back stronger and pull everyone together. Each time sadness takes over let Andy's wonderful smile and enthusiasm fill our hearts.
Brad and Andy enjoyed a drive across the country together but when they arrived in California, they decided it would be more enjoyable to fly back.

.

Trudy and Edward Baker

October 2, 2020

June Gunter

October 1, 2020

Sending our most heartfelt sympathy to all of Andy's family and friends, may your memories bring you comfort. Cousins Steve, June, Steve II

Jeff Noblett

Planted Trees

Kathy Coppedge

September 29, 2020

Rest in peace Andy Banks. Peace to your family and friends.

Clarissa Marshall

September 28, 2020

I have been raising little boys for 15 years. I guess it is for this reason that when I think about what it was like to be Andy’s neighbor from 5th-9th grade that I can say with that is was much like living down the street from Captain Underpants.

It has been well established that Andy was friendly and kind; funny and generous. Let’s talk a bit more about how incredibly playful this guy was. Andy ran in a pack, the Crew, as they would later come to be known. I hope that I don’t offend with my candor. These were the boys who were smart and handsome, fun and funny, and really not yet ready to start thinking about girls until the end of high school. At their sleepovers, they dressed in all black and painted their faces. Were they going to sneak out to a party or rob a convenience store? No, they would sneak out to play ninjas or special opps; slinking around the neighborhood and playing pretend. Neighbors learned not to be alarmed by mysterious footprints or shadows in the night. It was only Andy. Did a zipline appear in your yard while you were on vacation? Don’t be alarmed; it was Andy. One night, I was up late watching MTV in my living room (Real World, no doubt). Suddenly the back door that led to our deck opened. In the opening was only darkness. It slammed closed in a rush. I was terrified, of course. I got my parents up and we secured the perimeter. Later at school, I came to find out that “it was only Andy”. The only time that I remember the neighbors drawing the line was during the Great Dirt Clog Period of ‘95. Gray, as I am certain that you were in the trenches. You will need to expound more on that dark episode.

When we were in the 9th grade, when the kids were coupling up and becoming distracted by being cool, Andy was still happy to throw on the khaki shorts and golf tee provided by Robin. A careful selection of superego was not something that interested Andy. Instead, he and his Crew preferred to still wrestle on trampolines. We almost lost Andy when he hit his temple on a friend’s knee and his brain swelled inside his skull. He has a craniotomy to save his life and we got to keep Andy for another 25 years. When Andy was reported missing, my experience had taught me that Andy was just up to something, but not to worry. You can’t keep Andy Banks down. To be entirely honest, I have been experiencing a break with reality because I have not been able to let go of this thinking still.

My message to friends and loved ones is that Andy chose to live his life in a way that kept him close to his child-like nature. He chose to be generous and kind. He chose playfulness over worry. He lived in the moment and did not need a mindfulness app to give him his life back. He chose not to burden himself with being cool or getting ahead. Growing up, in the way that we use the term, has so many limitations. While some of the benefits are amazing, so are some of the costs. Andy chose to be Andy. Being yourself sounds easy, but it is only the brave, resilient, and wise who really do it. I chose to remember Andy for his life; the one that he was not afraid to live.

Brenda Crider

September 27, 2020

Andy was my next door neighbor for 15 years. He was always so friendly when passing or when talking. I miss knowing he is next door and there to help me if I ever need it or just to see his sweet smile. I am praying for justice If there is anything I can do please let me know.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results