Obituary for James P. "Pat" "Coach" Banks
James Patrick Banks (“Pat”, “Coach Banks”) of Chesapeake, passed away suddenly at home with his wife, Beth, by his side on May 24, 2023, at the age of 79.
Pat is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Dills Banks of Chesapeake; his daughter, Katharyn Banks Robertson and husband, Gordon Robertson of Chesapeake; his son, J. Patrick Banks, Jr. and wife, Sherry Banks of Chesapeake; his granddaughter, Evelyn Robertson Symons and husband, Ben Symons of Seattle, Washington; his grandson, Patrick Robertson of Alexandria, Virginia; his granddaughter, Adelia Robertson Killian and husband, Connor Killian of Cincinnati, Ohio; his sister-in-law, Vickie Banks and his nephew, Jimmie Banks of North Cape May, New Jersey; his nephew, Don Banks, Jr. of Sinks Grove, West Virginia; his brother-in-law, Dan Dills and wife, Marie Dills of Virginia Beach; his brother-in-law, John Dills of Chesapeake; his nephew, Clay Dills and wife, Deedra of Virginia Beach; his nephew, Brian Dills and wife, Meredith of Rodanthe, North Carolina; his niece, Reba McConnell of Virginia Beach; his niece, Loretta Dills of Salt Lake City, Utah; his great-granddaughter, Madeline Killian of Cincinnati, with more great-grandchildren on the way.
Pat was predeceased by his mother, Rosemary Ewing Loughead, his sister, Kathryn Banks, and his brother, Donald Banks, all of Cape May, New Jersey.
Pat grew up in the small beach town of Cape May, working after school and lifeguarding in the summers. Pat excelled at high school football and track and field, winning two New Jersey state titles in shot put and discus.
Pat credited the Marine Corps with instilling discipline and order in his life, and he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in 1966. Pat then worked as an insurance inspector for Retail Credit Company, which later became Equifax, retiring after 45 years.
While stationed in Norfolk, Pat met Beth, the love of his life, and they married at the chapel on base just a few months afterwards. He and Beth raised their family in rural Chesapeake, where Pat embraced country living by planting huge vegetable gardens, raising rabbits and chickens, hunting deer in the winter, and hiking in the woods.
Pat continued to compete in throwing events, first for the Marine Corps, then with the Tidewater Striders Track Club, after which he volunteered as a coach for Great Bridge High School in the late 1970’s.
And so Pat found the second great love of his life, coaching high school track and field. He grew in skill over time, mastering the nuances of running and jumping events. Pat stayed focused on the success of each young athlete, pushing them into events to match their strengths. He soared with their wins, and suffered with them in defeat. Coach Banks led the Great Bridge Wildcats to numerous titles in cross country and track and field over 22 years, then coached those same programs at Grassfield High School when it opened in 2007. He coached the Grassfield Grizzlies for 10 years, again winning numerous titles. His athletes went on to great success at all levels of the NCAA, including several national champions and two Olympians. Coach Banks celebrated the improvement and hard work of all his athletes. Most of all, he took great pride in seeing students receive college scholarships for their efforts. Coach Banks was deeply pleased to know that track opened the door for them to a college degree and a prosperous future.
Pat enjoyed deep relationships with his many friends, as well as Christian fellowship with the Church at Great Bridge. In recent years, Pat loved spending time with his family whom he adored, plus gardening, fishing, and crabbing, playing games of all types, and sharing the latest books he’d read with friends and family.
The Banks family invites all who knew Pat to celebrate his life on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 11:00am at the Regent University Chapel, CBN Center Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. A reception will follow at 1316 Darby Run Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Coach Pat Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund at Grassfield High School, 2007 Grizzly Way, Chesapeake, VA 23323. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Graham Funeral Home in Chesapeake. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.
Pat is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Dills Banks of Chesapeake; his daughter, Katharyn Banks Robertson and husband, Gordon Robertson of Chesapeake; his son, J. Patrick Banks, Jr. and wife, Sherry Banks of Chesapeake; his granddaughter, Evelyn Robertson Symons and husband, Ben Symons of Seattle, Washington; his grandson, Patrick Robertson of Alexandria, Virginia; his granddaughter, Adelia Robertson Killian and husband, Connor Killian of Cincinnati, Ohio; his sister-in-law, Vickie Banks and his nephew, Jimmie Banks of North Cape May, New Jersey; his nephew, Don Banks, Jr. of Sinks Grove, West Virginia; his brother-in-law, Dan Dills and wife, Marie Dills of Virginia Beach; his brother-in-law, John Dills of Chesapeake; his nephew, Clay Dills and wife, Deedra of Virginia Beach; his nephew, Brian Dills and wife, Meredith of Rodanthe, North Carolina; his niece, Reba McConnell of Virginia Beach; his niece, Loretta Dills of Salt Lake City, Utah; his great-granddaughter, Madeline Killian of Cincinnati, with more great-grandchildren on the way.
Pat was predeceased by his mother, Rosemary Ewing Loughead, his sister, Kathryn Banks, and his brother, Donald Banks, all of Cape May, New Jersey.
Pat grew up in the small beach town of Cape May, working after school and lifeguarding in the summers. Pat excelled at high school football and track and field, winning two New Jersey state titles in shot put and discus.
Pat credited the Marine Corps with instilling discipline and order in his life, and he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant in 1966. Pat then worked as an insurance inspector for Retail Credit Company, which later became Equifax, retiring after 45 years.
While stationed in Norfolk, Pat met Beth, the love of his life, and they married at the chapel on base just a few months afterwards. He and Beth raised their family in rural Chesapeake, where Pat embraced country living by planting huge vegetable gardens, raising rabbits and chickens, hunting deer in the winter, and hiking in the woods.
Pat continued to compete in throwing events, first for the Marine Corps, then with the Tidewater Striders Track Club, after which he volunteered as a coach for Great Bridge High School in the late 1970’s.
And so Pat found the second great love of his life, coaching high school track and field. He grew in skill over time, mastering the nuances of running and jumping events. Pat stayed focused on the success of each young athlete, pushing them into events to match their strengths. He soared with their wins, and suffered with them in defeat. Coach Banks led the Great Bridge Wildcats to numerous titles in cross country and track and field over 22 years, then coached those same programs at Grassfield High School when it opened in 2007. He coached the Grassfield Grizzlies for 10 years, again winning numerous titles. His athletes went on to great success at all levels of the NCAA, including several national champions and two Olympians. Coach Banks celebrated the improvement and hard work of all his athletes. Most of all, he took great pride in seeing students receive college scholarships for their efforts. Coach Banks was deeply pleased to know that track opened the door for them to a college degree and a prosperous future.
Pat enjoyed deep relationships with his many friends, as well as Christian fellowship with the Church at Great Bridge. In recent years, Pat loved spending time with his family whom he adored, plus gardening, fishing, and crabbing, playing games of all types, and sharing the latest books he’d read with friends and family.
The Banks family invites all who knew Pat to celebrate his life on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 11:00am at the Regent University Chapel, CBN Center Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. A reception will follow at 1316 Darby Run Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Coach Pat Banks Memorial Scholarship Fund at Grassfield High School, 2007 Grizzly Way, Chesapeake, VA 23323. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Graham Funeral Home in Chesapeake. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.