March 19, 2024

A humble servant: A life of service earns Banks grand marshal recognition

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Anyone who has met Junior Banks knows firsthand the impact a generous smile and greeting can make on a person.

Junior lives a life of love with a purpose to help and encourage others. He has made a lasting impression on Newton residents for the past 80 years with his sense of humor and goodwill.

“No matter where you are there’s always some negativity, but if you hear it, just turn it into a smile, even if it hurts. You’ll be the winner, “ Junior said.

Junior, 88, has been selected as the Newton 2016 Fourth of July parade grand marshal for his years of demonstrated service and character.

Childhood

Junior was born in Colfax on April 6, 1928 to Ruth Viola and George Lewis Banks. He is the sixth of seven children and the last living member of his family.

The Banks’ moved to Newton when Junior was 4 years old. His father was a janitor, and later a chef, at Hotel Maytag while his mother stayed at home with the children.

“I think I had a wonderful childhood. I can’t complain,” he said.

Junior attended school at Washington and Emerson Hough, and when he was about 12 years old, he got his first job at the Newton Country Club as a caddie. It paid 25 cents for nine holes, but it had other perks.

“Every Tuesday was Caddie’s Day, so I’d go around with my driver so I could tee off, then I’d have my nine iron if I had to go in the sand trap, and I’d have my putter. I used three clubs. Why should I have a bag with 12 clubs in it when I can use three?” he said.

In high school, Junior participated in track and football. Newton High School won the Central Iowa Conference track meet for the first time in 1944, and Banks was the anchor of the 440-yard relay.

“I wasn’t spectacular in sports, but track was my baby,” he said. “I loved to run.”

Junior was the third in his family to graduate from high school. Following his brother George Jr. and sister Kathryn, he graduated from Newton Senior High School in the Class of 1946.

Junior was the only African American student in the school, but he said in his heart he felt no prejudice.

“This is the best city in the whole world. Everybody’s been good to me. I was the only black student in my class from kindergarten to 12th grade, and I didn’t know I was this color,” he said. “I felt no prejudice. I had no reason to. My parents didn’t discuss that — we were just mom, dad and children. Color? We didn’t know what that was, and if my older brother and sister knew, they never mentioned it.”

Military Service

After high school, he went to work for at the Schlodfelt dealership, and a few years later enlisted in the United States Armed Forces as had many of his classmates.

Junior served in the Army from 1948 to 1955 in the 371st Infantry Battalion, a former African American regiment in World War I and II. President Harry S. Truman declared Executive Order 9981 to abolish racial discrimination in the United States Armed Forces in 1948, the same year he joined.

Junior was a member of the 7744 educational training unit based in Germany where he worked as an instructor to young soldiers who had not finished their high school education and taught several classes including algebra.

“We were a combat battalion, but I was very fortunate to not see any combat,” he said.

After returning home from Germany, Junior began work at the Maytag factory, but six weeks later the union went on strike — a blessing in disguise, he said — and it wasn’t long before he decided to find work elsewhere.

Junior passed the civil service test and joined the United States Postal Service in Newton.

“That was the best job I ever had. I met a lot of nice people, I can tell you that,” Junior said.

Junior soon met his future wife and love of his life Patsy Hogue Banks. The two dated for six years before getting married May 4, 1968.

“I had gotten sick and Pat came over every day to take care of me, so there had to be something, something I can’t explain,” he said. “She was so good to me, and so I wanted to be so good to her.”

Junior and Patsy had five children: Patty (Al) Lopez, Jeff (Karen) Banks, Jaymie (Craig) Banks-Westfield and Nadia Nixon, and the late Rhonda Little.

“He always made sure we were provided for, and he wanted to make mom happy. They were married in a time that wasn’t great for an interracial couple, but they stayed strong and worked together. They took care of each other,” Jaymie said.

Junior’s upbringing, career and connection to community are staples to his happy life, however, making a family with Patsy and raising their children together is the reason his life has been so good, he said. He’s proud of all his children.

“He never yelled, he was always positive, and he is very caring,” Jaymie said. “He was always reading the dictionary and had always taught us it was important to learn and be productive in society.”

Postal Service

The Banks family lived in northeast Newton where Junior carried mail for more than 23 years. It was there where he got to know people in town the best.

“Junior was a fixture of the neighborhood. He always had a smile for us kids, and we couldn’t resist waving and yelling to him as he made his appointed rounds. He is still one of the fondest memories from my childhood,” Bruce Stone, of Newton, said.

He wasn’t an ordinary mail carrier. He shared rubber bands, coins and even candy suckers to those he saw on along route. He got to know names and faces and enjoyed keeping up with everyone’s lives.

“Many days my friends and I would sit on the porch waiting for Junior to deliver the mail. He would always greet us with a big smile and kind words, a great childhood memory,” Jeda Blanchard, of Newton, said.

Junior said one reason he was fortunate enough to get on at the post office is because of the children.

"That’s where it begins, you know. You do something good, speak nicely to them and they’ll remember,” he said.

Verle Koositra, 92, of Newton, was a colleague at the post office during the 50s, 60s and 70s. Kooistra got to know Junior then and in the years to follow. He describes Junior as a generous man and a jokester.

“I don’t know of anybody who has anything bad to say about him,” Kooistra said. “He has a heart as big as the whole outdoors, and he is well deserving to be grand marshal.”

Civil Service

In the 1980s, Junior retired from the USPS, but he wasn’t done working. He joined on at Progress Industries for an additional 12 years and was a private bartender for many prominent people in town such as Bob Maytag, Arnold Peters, Dr. Ferguson and the Bailey brothers. All of these jobs had one thing in common — working with people.

As the world started moving a little faster, Junior’s appreciation of good people is the reason he stayed in Newton.

“I like everyone — that’s why I never left. It’s my hometown,” he said.

Junior and Patsy moved to Park Centre where he took care of her until she passed away in May 2015.

“I think he’s a very honest person, gentle, and he was gracious to his wife before she passed,” Kooistra said.

Today, Junior walks on a regular basis, going outdoors when it’s nice outside. He enjoys reading the Bible, newspapers and magazines, listening to music and singing Christian and gospel hymns.

When he’s not in his apartment, he can be found visiting assisted living residents at Park Centre.

“I feel relaxed there,” Banks said. “I try to help them psychologically by listening to them or helping them smile. That’s a positive purpose — to help people. I believe we were put here for a purpose, and we’re suppose to serve this purpose for helping others mentally, morally, monetarily, whatever it may be.”

Park Centre residents and staff share an adoration for his presence and generosity.

“I get the joy of seeing Junior daily, the only person I have ever meet who never has a bad day. You can count on that big smile and laugh every time he walks in the door. We are blessed by him and his positive way of life,” Park Centre activities director Darla Sudbrink said.

Junior is the same person at home as he is in the community, his daughter Jaymie said.

“Dad has always joked and laughed and been silly, and that has always been a big part of how we grew up. We couldn’t of handpicked better parents,” she said.

Junior is humble and faithful.

“It’s few and far between that I’ve met someone who truly walks with genuine faith and holds fast to the belief that God is a real entity, God is love, like Junior Banks. A more humble man you’re not likely to meet,” Lisa Bloomers said.

“There are millions of people who think as I think, do as I do, so why should I receive special attention?” Junior said. “I’m just a natural, common person. I’m just so very thankful.”

His joyful presence, positive attitude and acts of kindness have made an immeasurable impact on the community.

“This is my home,” he said. “I had a lot of fun in Newton. I’m thankful for everything.”

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com