James H. Banks

James H. Banks peacefully entered eternal rest on April 1, 2025. Born in Delaware, Ohio, on August 25, 1945, Jim was the son of the late William and Carrie (Diggs) Banks. He graduated from Delaware Hayes High School and obtained a B.S. degree from The Ohio State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Ohio Northern University.

He will be sorely missed by his loving spouse of forty years, Nina Banks (Najjar), his children, Briana (Edwin) Matthews, James Gabriel (Kyra) Banks, Carrie Banks, Wendle Banks, Adam (Rachel) Banks, Jamie Banks and Jamelia (Dakota) Anderson, grandchildren Darrian, Lance, Nicole, Kennedy, Aleya, Michael, Jaida, Khalani, Chloe, Khora, and Beau, great-grandchildren Zaden and Callie, his brother Dr. William (Jeannie) Banks, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by siblings Ellie Lindsay, Margaret Campbell, Patricia (James) Dickerson, Charlotte (Ken) Cole, Charles (Dolores) Campbell, Dale (Gloria) Campbell, Mollie (Carl) Evans and Dianne (Charles) Banks-Turner.

Jim served in the Air Force during the Vietnam crisis, was a life member of AMVETS, a 2nd degree Mason, and a black belt in karate. He also served as President of the Board of the Liberty Community Center and as Special Agent for the prosecutors in Greene and Hardin Counties. He pastored the First Baptist Church of Crestline for more than 20 years. He was an attorney at law since 1980 and a member of the Bars of Ohio and various federal courts in Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois, and the United States Supreme Court.

Jim was a life member of the NAACP and a champion for civil rights. He has been legal counsel in class-actions and claims involving governmental entities, sheriffs’ departments, the State of Ohio, municipalities, school boards, and federal and state agencies. He was also legal counsel for more than eleven chapters of the NAACP in the State of Ohio and regional counsel for its national office.

Jim loved cooking, playing the piano and organ, beating the competition in horseshoes, and spoiling his grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM at Schoedinger Dublin, 5980 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, OH 43017, followed by a reception from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.