John Walter Banks Sr.

On Friday, November 7, 2025, John Walter Banks, Sr. transitioned from his earthly home and entered rest with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His transition was done quietly and peacefully.
John was the oldest son born on October 9, 1930, to Walter Lee Banks and Beatrice Banks in York County, Virginia. He is survived by one brother, Elwood Banks (Evelyn) and one sister, Shirley Combs Hales. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice Banks Combs; father, Walter Lee Banks; and two brothers, Lloyd Banks Sr. and Wallace E. Banks Sr.
John was married to Aretha Fox for 61 years until her passing in 2012. He leaves to mourn two sons, John Walter Banks Jr. and Vincent Russell Banks; three daughters, Karen Lynnette Banks Carson (Nathaniel), Kristie Maria McCray, all of Newport News; and Julie Annette Holifield (Eric) of Smyrna, Georgia; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
John served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged on May 22, 1953. He received the Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and a Combat Infantry Badge. He was seldom, if ever, seen without his Korean War Veteran hat.
John worked at the Naval Weapon Station at Cheatham Annex as a Property Disposal Officer for the Defense Logistics Agency. He retired on November 30, 1991 after 31 years of service. For many years he also owned a cab and drove for Associated Cabs out of Fort Eustis. He was honored on his 90th birthday by the City of Newport News as an Outstanding Life-time Citizen.
John was a faithful tithe-paying member of Holy Tabernacle Church of Deliverance in Newport News, Virginia. He served as the first and oldest Deacon, member of the Board of Directors, Church Trustee, member of the Men's Fellowship, the "Big Blue" bus driver, and church landscaper. John was the man behind the scenes for numerous church functions.
John's passion in life, besides his family, was his beautiful yard and flowers. You could often find him riding on the lawn mower, cutting the grass and trimming the sidewalks with one of the grandkids in his lap. His love for azaleas, tulips, and pansies was apparent every spring and summer. For many years, John grew and nurtured a garden full of vegetables. You were welcomed to enjoy the bounty, but you had to collect it yourself and according to his directions. He loved to hunt and has two buck heads mounted on the wall in his den to show his skills. Two weeks every summer were dedicated to traveling and visiting family and friends in various parts of the country. He was a "people person" who enjoyed talking about his life experiences, and no one was a stranger. Fried chicken was his absolute favorite food!
John will be missed by many, especially by his family. Rest in peace Dad, Papa, Grandpap, and Buzzard Bait.
A service to celebrate John's life will be held at Noon on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Holy Tabernacle Church of Deliverance. Interment with military honors will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens. Mr. Banks may be viewed on Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the church.
Professional services have been entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of John Walter Banks Sr., please visit our floral store.