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John Wesley Banks III

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John Wesley Banks III

Birth
Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina, USA
Death
20 Nov 2021 (aged 79)
Lexington, Lexington County, South Carolina, USA
Burial
Cremated Add to Map
Memorial ID
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John Wesley Banks III, of Lexington, SC, went to his eternal resting place with Jesus on Saturday, November 20, 2021.

Wesley was born in Columbia, SC on December 3, 1941. He was a resident of Lexington, where he spent the majority of his life. A man of many trades, he pursued his love of 18-wheeler trucks by driving across country as a truck driver for many years, then started his company, Banks Brokerage, and worked alongside many major grocery store chains and produce growers from the west coast to the east coast in the logistics field.

He was owner of many of his beloved 18-wheelers by the time he retired, but also had acquired many other businesses along the way. D&P Express and Banks Motorsports were other favorites of his; another trucking company piloted by the birth of his first grandson, and a passion for racecars.

He loved anything that went fast—his love for speedboats had him racing at a young age on the water, and then spring-boarded into building late-model cars for his sons to race, traveling weekend after weekend to a new place that hadn't been won yet.

Sharing in his love of racecars, his sons became quickly fascinated with it as well, and a racing shop ensued, a team of the best drivers was built, a network of people now sharing in his passion for 'going fast'. He would then employ the best motor builder on the block to build go-karts for his grandson to race, stopping at nothing to help him be the best at what he did.

Wesley's generosity and humble spirit afforded him the opportunity to send his son and first granddaughter to Newberry College to chase their dreams. He also supported all of five of his granddaughters in their sports and various endeavors.

Wesley's greatest love of all was his wife, and his family. He would leave early on a weekend to go racing, or fishing, or hunting, even, but his best days were spent with the people he loved, at home, listening to all of their stories and accomplishments with a huge smile on his face. He loved his family unlike anything else, never too busy to watch his grandkids play or catch up on the inner workings of their busy lives. He worked hard, and he loved hard.

Anyone who knew Wesley was a friend. He was simple, yet precise. Focused, yet understanding. He wanted nothing but great things for the people he loved, not wanting much for himself in return. His character was something birthed out of hard work and dedication, his word was honest. If Wesley committed to you, you knew you would have a supporter, no matter the cost.

A genuinely kindhearted man, he will be greatly missed. His fortitude for a full life had him fighting up until the very end with a several year battle with illness. He was determined to be home and do things 'his way' until his very last day. Wesley went to be with Jesus, peacefully, and at home, with his loving family by his side.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Barbara Oswald Banks, who he cherished for 32 years; sons, John Robert Oswald and Jason Albert Oswald; grandchildren, John Robert Oswald II "Doodle", Olivia Ryan Oswald "Sissy", Gracen Kennedy Oswald, Ella-Kate Fraley Oswald, Reagan Rose Oswald, and Alexandria Claire Oswald; many extended family members, friends and business associates that were like family to him.

Sickness does not care who it takes, who it hurts, honors or loves. It comes into this life and starts to break the threads that hold and we are left to see pieces of the ones we love slip away and dreams fade. One thing it cannot expect, however, is the end. This is when the most amazing thing happens; sickness loses its strength and grace appears. Death has no hold, illness is erased. Grace and love win, not sickness. Thank you, "Papa", for showing us what a life well-lived looks like. We hope to continue to make you proud.

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel
John Wesley Banks III, of Lexington, SC, went to his eternal resting place with Jesus on Saturday, November 20, 2021.

Wesley was born in Columbia, SC on December 3, 1941. He was a resident of Lexington, where he spent the majority of his life. A man of many trades, he pursued his love of 18-wheeler trucks by driving across country as a truck driver for many years, then started his company, Banks Brokerage, and worked alongside many major grocery store chains and produce growers from the west coast to the east coast in the logistics field.

He was owner of many of his beloved 18-wheelers by the time he retired, but also had acquired many other businesses along the way. D&P Express and Banks Motorsports were other favorites of his; another trucking company piloted by the birth of his first grandson, and a passion for racecars.

He loved anything that went fast—his love for speedboats had him racing at a young age on the water, and then spring-boarded into building late-model cars for his sons to race, traveling weekend after weekend to a new place that hadn't been won yet.

Sharing in his love of racecars, his sons became quickly fascinated with it as well, and a racing shop ensued, a team of the best drivers was built, a network of people now sharing in his passion for 'going fast'. He would then employ the best motor builder on the block to build go-karts for his grandson to race, stopping at nothing to help him be the best at what he did.

Wesley's generosity and humble spirit afforded him the opportunity to send his son and first granddaughter to Newberry College to chase their dreams. He also supported all of five of his granddaughters in their sports and various endeavors.

Wesley's greatest love of all was his wife, and his family. He would leave early on a weekend to go racing, or fishing, or hunting, even, but his best days were spent with the people he loved, at home, listening to all of their stories and accomplishments with a huge smile on his face. He loved his family unlike anything else, never too busy to watch his grandkids play or catch up on the inner workings of their busy lives. He worked hard, and he loved hard.

Anyone who knew Wesley was a friend. He was simple, yet precise. Focused, yet understanding. He wanted nothing but great things for the people he loved, not wanting much for himself in return. His character was something birthed out of hard work and dedication, his word was honest. If Wesley committed to you, you knew you would have a supporter, no matter the cost.

A genuinely kindhearted man, he will be greatly missed. His fortitude for a full life had him fighting up until the very end with a several year battle with illness. He was determined to be home and do things 'his way' until his very last day. Wesley went to be with Jesus, peacefully, and at home, with his loving family by his side.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Barbara Oswald Banks, who he cherished for 32 years; sons, John Robert Oswald and Jason Albert Oswald; grandchildren, John Robert Oswald II "Doodle", Olivia Ryan Oswald "Sissy", Gracen Kennedy Oswald, Ella-Kate Fraley Oswald, Reagan Rose Oswald, and Alexandria Claire Oswald; many extended family members, friends and business associates that were like family to him.

Sickness does not care who it takes, who it hurts, honors or loves. It comes into this life and starts to break the threads that hold and we are left to see pieces of the ones we love slip away and dreams fade. One thing it cannot expect, however, is the end. This is when the most amazing thing happens; sickness loses its strength and grace appears. Death has no hold, illness is erased. Grace and love win, not sickness. Thank you, "Papa", for showing us what a life well-lived looks like. We hope to continue to make you proud.

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel

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