John R. “Jack” Bankes, age 86, longtime resident of Livonia passed away April 2, 2022. He was born on August 2, 1935 in Superior, Wisconsin; son of Basil and Lorraine (Shabelski) Bankes. He attended Cooley High School in Detroit, where he was captain of the basketball team, graduating in 1953. He continued his education at Lawrence Technical University where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Jack was united in marriage to Ethelyn Childress on April 28, 1962; they spent nearly 60 years of loving devotion to one another.
Jack worked as an architectural designer for more than 30 years at General Motors. He retired in 1992 as one of the last designers that was still drawing everything by hand. Jack's talent and eye for designing administrative buildings for General Motors took him all over the world, including Egypt, United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, and Germany. One of his more notable designs was the GM Technical Center Environmental Activities Building. This building in Michigan showcased his love of bringing the outside in, with lots of glass, beautiful atriums in the entrance and cafeteria.
Jack had a love of sports, which included playing softball and bowling. Golf, however, was his true passion and each year he brought home prizes from the annual GM golf outings. He helped everyone with their golf games. Jack was a great coach and mentor of young athletes for many years in the Livonia Blue Jays Little League, Basketball, and Football Programs. He liked to tinker around the house, sorting and organizing. He also liked to make sure his yard was meticulously kept. Jack was a true family man; he spent many summers at the cottage he remodeled on Lobdell Lake in the Fenton/Linden Michigan area. He and his family would enjoy the days on their pontoon or speed boat. After selling the cottage, he and his wife spent 14 winters at their home in The Villages of Florida. They also had the privilege of being members of the Grand Hotel Vacation Club. For many years Jack’s whole family would get together at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island where they rented the Masco Cottage to accommodate all of them. He adored his dog Gigi, as well as his son’s dog Scooby. He would spoil them whenever he had the chance. Jack was incredibly supportive of his wife’s political career and was an integral part of her campaign for State Representative. He was loving, kind, and generous to a fault. He had a wonderful sense of humor, laugh, and smile. Jack was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother; he will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
Jack is survived by his loving wife, Lyn Bankes; his sons, John (Carolyn) Bankes, Jr. and Mark (Terri) Bankes; his grandchildren, Lauren, Tom, Caleb, Scott, Michael, and Brittany; and his brother Bryan (Diane) Bankes. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Mr. Bankes will be laid to rest at All Saints Cemetery in Waterford, also at a later date. Watch this website, www.casterlinefuneralhome.com , for updates on both.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Michigan Humane Society. https://www.michiganhumane.org/
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