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.
Comments
from Lem
Barney,
Bishop
Charles
H.
Ellis,
L. J.
Reynolds
and
Donnie
Simpson
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
Sheriffs
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.
