Joe Bankston

On September 27, 1935 Joe Louis Bankston was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He was called to rest peacefully on January 9, 2025. He was blessed to be able to spend his last days being surrounded by his loving family.

Joe attended school in Dayton, Ohio and joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17. He explored life as a proud soldier. His Army career afforded him the opportunity to excel academically and gave him the financial means to be able to raise his family securely. As a soldier Joe was fortunate to be stationed at many great military locations such as California, Georgia, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Missouri, Ohio, Germany, Walter Reed in Washington, DC, and fought in the Vietnam War. He loved, lived, and served the military with pride, honor, and dignity. He chose the US Army as his lifelong career and retired as an honorable Veteran.

Joe was always talked about as being what the young people now call "DEMURE." We regarded our dad as one of the smoothest, the most laid-back person we knew! His favorite things to do was to get up daily and hang his American flag. He enjoyed taking daily walks to the store, it's been told by his friends and neighbors that on the way to the store he would greet and chat with everyone along the way. He was the guy that everyone felt comfortable talking to. He was cool, calm, and always collected. The family thanks God for the honor of allowing us to be a part of Joe L. Bankston's life.

Joe's parents Frank, and Roberta Bankston departed early in his life. They bore and raised their family of seven children, all of Dayton, Ohio. He was the youngest of his 7 brothers and sisters, which have all departed this life: Frank Jr (Burndette), Cora (George aka Uncle Buck), Clyde (Emma), Lucille, Dorothy, Jamie (Hooker) and Vivian. He is preceded in homegoing by his daughter, Perlee Robinson and great-grandson, Lante' Hughes. 

Joe is survived by his wife, Peggy Bankston; sister-in-law, Linnie P. Reed; daughters, Roberta (Steve) Bankston-Leconey, Brenda Bankston-Frederick, Rena' (Calvin) Bankston-Benson, Hilda Brown, and Lynn Wright; and lifelong special friend, Ms. Jean, daughter Pam Patton; best friend, Billy Harris; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Joe spread his wings and departed this life leaving his legacy with his grandchildren Don Bankston (Angie), Shawnte' Bankston, Brandon Ledbetter, Brian Bankston, Curtis Bankston, Diatra Brown, Dennis Brown (Tasha), Gregory Bankston, Cynthia Robinson (Domeyon). He had 25 great grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren that will continue the Bankston legacy.