Ron Banks - The Scene Reunion.com

A SERVICE OF MEMORY
Pall Bearers
Harley Brown
Eddie Jackson
Terrance Rutland
Tony Reed
Jamal Grant
Michael Banks
Brian Banks
Hollywood Thompson
Kyle Yancey
Celebrating the Life of
Honorary Pall Bearers
William Banks Jr.
Raymond Solomon
L. J. Reynolds
Michael Brock
Felix McKnight
Douglas Moore
Roosevelt Taylor
Larry “Squirrel” Demps
Clarence “Foody” Rome
Joe Davis
Wenzell Kelly
Willie Ford
Lamont Robinson
Bernard Moore
Flower Bearers
Family and Friends
Acknowledgement of Appreciation
With sincere appreciation, we wish to thank our many friends for
their expressions of kindness during our bereavement for our loved one.
Special Thanks to Harley Brown, Larry Demps, Jamal Grant,
Bishop Charles H. Ellis III and the Greater Grace Temple Church.
THE BANKS FAMILY
Arrangements Entrusted to
SWANSON FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Northwest Chapel 14751 W. McNichols Detroit, MI
313.272.9000
Internment
Detroit Memorial Park West
25200 Plymouth Rd, Redford, MI.
313.533.1302
Program by Creative RELEASE : Jackie Baptist / 248.797.8824 Email: [email protected]
Printed by Greater Grace Temple Printers / 313.543.6165
Ron Banks
May 10, 1951
~
March 4, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Visitation 10:30 A.M.
Service 11:00 A.M.
GREATER GRACE TEMPLE CITY OF DAVID
23500 West Seven Mile Rd. Detroit, MI 48219
Bishop Charles H. Ellis III., Senior Pastor
Officiating
FAMILY REFLECTIONS
My dad was a great father and husband. He always made sure
there was clothes on our backs, food on the table, and that the bills
were paid. He always told us he wouldn't be here our whole life,
but I didn't expect it to be this soon; however, he did prepare and
teach me enough so one day I can support my own
family. Love Ronnie
I love you dad, "Your baby girl always and forever"
Love Baby Girl (Bridgette)
My dad was a beloved man who cared about
everyone. He put food on our table and we
made sure his room was clean. We spent a lot of
time with him. Daddy was also a smart
man. There was times I wondered how he knew
all those math answers off of the top of his
head. My dad was the smartest man I ever seen
and I love him a lot.
Love you Dad,
Raymond aka Lil Pappi
My grand-dad's death has changed my whole life, not in a
good way, but a great way! Don't get me wrong, I miss him,
but reality just took over and I know he is in a better place
with God. Don't ever say he is gone because he is not, he
lives in my heart forever!
I love you grand-dad, Fal (Fal) & Butt-Butt (Jahleel)
FAMILY REFLECTIONS
Daddy,
Words can't express the love you shared with me. There isn't enough time to tell
everything you've done for me. I love you dearly and you are TRULY
missed. You always prepared us for a time like this. I just didn't expect it to be so
soon. You always said "If Daddy leaves here tomorrow, don't cry, Daddy lived a
great life, stand tall, stay strong and continue to love everyone." He would also
say "Toughen up!"
I love you Daddy Suga Lump (Bianca),
I got you baby!
Order of Services
GREATER GRACE TEMPLE CITY OF DAVID
BISHOP CHARLES H. ELLIS III, OFFICIATING
MARCH 13, 2010
ORGAN PRELUDE……………………………………………………………………………… Minister of Music
PROCESSIONAL………………………………………………………………………………....Clergy and Family
PRAYER…………………………………………………………………………….....Reverend Dr. Charles Adams
Hartford Memorial Baptist Church
SCRIPTURE……………………………………………………………………………………Elder Willard Owens
SONG………………………...…….“His Eye Is On The Sparrow” …………………………………Enchantments
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………...………..…….Tony Reid
California Brother
OBITUARY……………………………………………………………………………… .Reverend Lemuel Barney
Assistant Pastor, Hope United Methodist Church
POEM…………………………………………………………………...........................................Ebony Hill (niece)
My father was a good
man. He always told us when
God called him home it was
time for him to go. I really
miss him, but my dad always
kept us strong. He told us to
keep up the good work.
I love you Dad.
Love Bo Bo (Branndi)
Pops,
I see myself being the girl
version of you. Two things I
can say, I got from you was my
love for people close to me and
my way of not letting people
run over me! You always
looked at me as being your
"biggest boy", and that was
because you knew I carried
your strong mind and strong
personality. Any time I wanted
to fuss about something, "Anna..." is what you
said. Or when something was broke or a phone
line didn't work "Milky" was the first name to
come out of his mouth. But he prepared us for this
day for as long as I can remember. I know my
dad is happy! Love you pops! "Milky got
you" and your "Pumpkin Pie" got this family no
matter what!
xoxo :-)
I love you Brianna
SONG……………………………………………………………………………….………….…“You Can Make It”
L. J. Reynolds
Willie Ford
Wenzell Kelly
“Angel ” Michael Brock
REMARKS …………………………………………..………....Jim Hare, Quick 2 Learn Educational Technology
SHARING MEMORIES……………………………………………………………….…………..…Harley Brown
Frankie Darcell
Clarence “Foody” Rome
Nicolas Love
Pastor Roosevelt Taylor
Oakland, CA.
Banks Family - Children
Banks Family - Brothers
SONG……………………………………….…………………………………………………… “Beautiful People”
Anita Baker
PROCLAMATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS ……………………..Honorable Joann Watson, Detroit City Council
Honorable Fred Durhal Jr., State Representative
Honorable Mayor Dave Bing, City of Detroit
Honorable Mayor Hubert Yopp, City of Highland Park
SONG ……………………………………………………………………………………..…… “I Won’t Complain”
Steve Boyd
MASONIC ACKNOWLEDGMENTS……………………………………..…………Grand Master Felix McKnight
SONG……………………………………………………………………………….…..Greater Grace Temple Choir
EULOGY……………………………………………………………………...………….Bishop Charles H. Ellis III
RECESSIONAL………………………………………………………………...……...Greater Grace Temple Choir
Ronald Dean Banks
FAMILY REFLECTIONS
Ronnie,
We have often talked about this day, but why Thursday? I knew you were
tired and you made comments like "I don't want to be 60, singing "What
You See is What You Get." I told you I did not believe you, I would say
"..surely you will miss the accolades and performing..", but you assured me
that if you didn't pack another suit case and fly on another plane that "...you
would be a happy man.." Ronnie, as I help you pack this last suitcase, I
understand that on "Thurday" you were ready to rest. As the kids and I
mourn your going home, know that we all made a pact "...not to let your
death destroy the fabric of what you have woven and worked so hard to
nourish.
" Love your "Little Midget", Best Friend, and always
"Ron Bank's Wife"
See Ya Later!
I Love You, Sandy
My Pledge To You…
Daddy,
Who knew at 32 that I would lose you
My Inspiration, My friend, My father…
But, who also knew that by losing you
that you would help me be the ‘Best’ me that I can be.
The Best Sister, The Best Friend, The Best Daughter.
I will be the the best ‘All that I am’ in your honor.
I’ll miss you, but your spirit lives on within me.
To be the Best is my pledge to you!
Love,
Tonya - ‘Cakes’
Ron,
From the water balloon fights in the house when I was only six to our
most recent conversation on my birthday about all my dreams and
aspirations to the other night when Fallon called you to tell you "to teach
my momma how to make a Mack burger, because no one makes a Mack
burger like you do grand-dad" you have always been there. Our
relationship was special to me and you have no idea how much I'm going
to miss you say that familiar "hi baby" followed by a kiss on the forehead.
You will be missed! I love you Ron... With love always, (Sherri)
FAMILY REFLECTIONS
Ronald Dean Banks
Ronald Dean Banks was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 10, 1951 to Jennie and William Banks Sr. He was
the third child of five born to this union. He was raised by his loving parents. William Sr. preceded him in
death in 2007.
Growing up in a Christian home, he accepted Christ at an early age. He was baptized as a youth and prior to
death he reaffirmed his faith while attending Greater Grace Temple.
Ron was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system and attended Atkinson Elementary, Hutchins Junior
High, and Northern High School. While attending Northern High School, Ron was involved in many extracurricular activities, among them baseball. It has often been said that he could have played professionally. When
people would compliment him as an entertainer he would remark, “I’m really a frustrated athlete, you should
see me play ball.”
While still a teenager, Ron co-founded the group “The Dramatics” which became his lifelong passion. Both
nationally and internationally recognized, The Dramatics have garnered countless honors, including numerous
awards, citations, tributes and gold records and hold world renowned accolades.
Ron loved food! He loved to eat and, was a good cook too! He especially loved smoked turkey. He enjoyed
barbequing all year long, even in the snow. He loved lighting fireworks for the children, no matter what time
of year it was. Ron loved all types of sports, and playing video games with his children. He also enjoyed
making people laugh, he was a jokester. He was a stylish dresser and an amateur inventor with numerous inventions.
Known for his great humanitarian spirit, Ron, along with childhood friends, Chuck Underwood, Harley
Brown, and Reverend Jim Holly, established programs such as, Shoes for Kids, Coats for Kids and Celebrity
Basketball games to benefit the children of Detroit. Ron, his brother Mike, and Hal Dietrich of Dietrich Furs
were founders of the K.I.S.S. Money Management Program for kids with several locations in the Detroit area.
Ron was also involved in a Computer Program that would impact several school districts around the country
including Detroit. Ron, along with his wife and children have been involved in football and cheerleading with
the West 7 Rams and the Eastside Bengals for over 15 years, through Think Detroit Pal League. He often
spoke to prisoners through Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Ron recently completed a food and clothing drive
with Frankie Darcell of 92.3 FM Radio and Derrick Coleman. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of
Masons.
Ron leaves to mourn and keep safe the lifelong cherished memories, his devoted and loving wife Sandra, his
mother, Jennie Banks, eight children Sherri, Bianca, Briana, Brandi, Bridgette, Ronald Jr., Raymond, and an
adoring daughter Tonya Nichole Denise, by a previous marriage with Vickie Grimmett. He is survived by his
sister, Donna Green, and three brothers, William Jr., Michael, and Brian. Ron also leaves to mourn two grandchildren, Fallon and Jaheel; four sister-in-laws, Barbara, Oneida, Constance, Paula; three brother-in-laws,
Roger, Bernard Jr., and Douglas; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a loyal and loving father to
his children. He was a loyal and loving son, brother, husband, uncle and grandfather.
Ron had a multitude of people that were family to him including The Dramatics and their families and he will
certainly be missed by all.
Ron Banks and The Dramatics
Ronald Dean Banks
Career
Ron Banks was born into a musical family. His mother, Jeannie, put aside her career as a Jazz and Pop singer to
raise a family. His father was an accomplished musician and taught in the Detroit Public School System.
Although Ron was blessed with a spectacular voice, his first love was baseball. He played on a team called the
Yankee All-Stars. Ron was an exceptional pitcher and hitter. Ron progressed to the point of being invited to try
out for the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds, Major League Baseball teams.
Ron’s professional singing career started at age 11 when he and Elbert Wilkins started the Perfections. That
group consisted of Ron Banks, Elbert Wilkins, Roderick Davis, Larry Reed and Robert Ellington. Later, they
changed their name to the Sensations. Larry “Squirrel” Demps replaced Robert Ellington and the group
changed their name again to The Dramatics to reflect the new choreography, showmanship and harmonies that
gave them their special distinction and set apart their performances. They rehearsed five days a week on their
vocal harmonies, leads and choreography. This earned the group their first recording contract with Golden
World Records in Detroit. The Dramatics had two singles with Golden world, “Inky Dinky Wang Dang Doo”
and “Bingo.” The recordings met with little success in the U.S. but sold well in Europe.
The Dramatics then signed with Sport Records in Detroit where they had their first chart song “All Because Of
You.” It was a local hit but didn’t get national attention.
The Dramatics went through some personnel changes with Larry Reed leaving the group being replaced by
William “Wee Gee” Howard. The group released their next recording, “Your Love Was Strange,” on the Stax/
Volt Label. This recording also met with limited success. The Dramatics further refined their sound after the
departure of Rod Davis, when Willie Ford joined the group.
The Dramatics’ next release received world wide attention. “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” featuring the
soaring, sweet, falsetto of Ron Banks, alternating with the power voice of William Howard, captivated listeners
and scored high on the Billboard Charts. The Dramatics followed that with the release of “In the Rain.” The
Dramatics show, which was power packed, exploded onto the national scene when James Brown took them on
a whirlwind tour of the U.S.
Ron’s fabulous tenor voice remained the driving force in maintaining The Dramatics’ sound and helped them
continue after Howard and Wilkins left and L. J. Reynolds and Lenny Mayes joined the group.
Ron and L.J., with the support harmonies of Larry, Lenny, and Willie, would go on to score many major hits.
Some of Ron’s favorites were “Just Shopping,” “Fell for You,” “Me and Mrs. Jones,” “Be My Girl,” “Oceans
of Thoughts and Dreams,” “Shake It Well,” and “Welcome Back Home.” He often said, “Every record the
Dramatics sang is my favorite.”
The Dramatics and Ron Banks traveled extensively throughout the world performing at sold out concerts,
performing before dignitaries and were invited to the White House. Ron, along with the Dramatics, received
numerous awards, citations, honors and gold records.
Ron Banks’ beautiful falsetto tenor vocals spawned many tenors who respected him and tried to copy his multioctave range and flexibility. This has been a great compliment to the enormous God given talent that he
possessed.
The remaining Dramatics consisting of L.J. Reynolds, Willie Ford, Wenzell Kelly and Michael Brock will
undoubtedly continue The Dramatic legacy in honor of Ron Banks. God Bless You, Ron Banks!