Robert F. Banks Jr. 1945-2020

He was born Dec. 29, 1945, in Youngstown, the son of Robert F. Banks Sr. and Velma Snyder Banks.

Bob was a 1963 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. He was an avid NASCAR enthusiast.

Bob worked in the steel mills of Youngstown in his youth, was a semi-truck driver and also worked at General Motors in Lordstown, until suffering from an aneurysm at the age of 31.

His strong will and determination allowed him to live independently and become an advocate for adults with disabilities. He was able to help facilitate legislation in Ohio for disabled people, including handicapped parking spaces, handicapped public facilities, handicapped curbing and additional public support for the handicapped.

Mr. Banks is survived by his wife, Kelly Myrtle Green Banks; three children, Suzette Darden of Florida, Robert F. Banks III of Florida and Michele (Jim) Joint of South Dakota; his brother, Richard (Lenore) Banks of South Carolina; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dale Banks; cousin, Harry Urbach; and other precious loved ones.

Private services were held at Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.

A Memorial Life Celebration will be held this summer for friends and family.

Bob’s family would like to thank the many caregivers and personal aides, physical, speech and respiratory therapists, doctors and nurses of St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, and lifelong friends that assisted Bob over the years.

Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and send condolences.

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