EG Banks

EG Banks passed away peacefully at his home in Winter Park, Florida on March 13, 2021. “Jerry” was born in Sanford, Florida on Feb. 8, 1933 to Christine Ponder, and lived his entire life in Maitland and Winter Park.

He graduated from Winter Park High School in 1950, one of only 50 students in his graduating class. He planned to attend Rollins College on a football scholarship the following year, but the football program was discontinued that summer, and Jerry never attended college. 

Instead, he began his career in banking, hand posting the books at the Florida Bank and Trust Company on the corner of Park Avenue and New England Avenue in Winter Park. This job was interrupted briefly by service in the US Army during the Korean War, stationed at Fort Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone. Upon discharge, he returned to the bank where in 1955 he met a beautiful teller, named Patsy Laughlin. They were married in 1956.

By the early 1960s the young Jerry Banks had become a leader in the Central Florida banking and business community, starting the Commercial Bank Holding Company of seven banks. Including in 1967 opening the South Seminole Bank on 17-92 in Casselberry, which was the first bank between the cities of Winter Park and Sanford.

In the mid-1970s Jerry sold the banking company and primarily devoted his time to other business ventures such as Handley & Martin Grassing Company, Service Ice Company, and real estate investments and development. Over the years, in partnership with Malcolm and Charlie Clayton he developed neighborhoods, including Sevilla in Winter Park, and Cove Colony and Lake Colony in Maitland.

Over the course of his career he received numerous awards, served on numerous boards and commissions, and was recognized for his great contributions to the community, charity, and country. One of his greatest honors was when, in 1969, he was appointed by President Richard Nixon to serve on the three-member Selective Service Appeal Board, traveling the country to hear and decide the cases of draftees during the Vietnam War.

Jerry was named the Business Man of the Year and CEO of the Year by several entities in the 1960s and ‘70s. He served as the Chairman of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce in 1963 & 1964. He chaired the fund drive to build the current St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church on Park Avenue in Winter Park, and was a founding member of the Diocese of Orlando Finance Committee.

 He was the first Chairman of the Board of the FTU (now UCF) Foundation, served on the Commission for Quality Education in Florida, and chaired the Winter Park Community Chest Drive. 

Jerry was the initial Trustee of The Bush Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota and the initial Trustee of the Edyth Bush Foundation in Winter Park.

From the 1980s to recent years, Jerry’s time was divided between his beautiful homes in Hurtsboro, Alabama; Highlands, North Carolina; and Maitland/Winter Park. Nothing gave him more joy than sharing his blessings with family and friends. His hunting plantation in Alabama was his most favorite place on earth, and hosting many friends there was his most favorite thing to do. He would plan every detail of every hunting weekend or week. Every meal was five course and five star…and he prepared all of them himself. (Probably to make sure there was no onion or garlic!) 

He was also proud to share “Patsy’s house” in Highlands, North Carolina. Maintaining a meticulous property like no other with an always stocked trout pond, variety of always blooming flowers, and memories to last family and friends a lifetime.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Patsy, and their five children. Jerry (Lea Ann), Mary Jane, Karen, Larry (Karin), and Danny (Leah). “The Great Dadoo” is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Andrew Banks, David Banks, Elizabeth Schmitt Lupica (Chris), Brian Schmitt, Erin Schmitt Mullen (Hank), Mary Schmitt, Stephen Banks, Mikey Banks, Molly Banks, Brody Banks, Daniel Banks, Jacob Banks, and four great grandchildren. All are left with wonderful memories and a legacy of love and care for others.

Visitation was held at DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory - Maitland Chapel, 9001 N. Orlando Avenue Maitland, FL 32751 on Tuesday, March 16 at 5 - 6:30 p.m.. A Rosary Service will begin at 6:30 p.m.

A Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, March 17 at 1 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 536 N. Park Avenue, Winter Park.