Thomas Michael Banks Obituary (1955 - 2025)

Born Jun 12, 1955, Thomas Michael Banks attended Northside High School in Fort Smith, AR. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Thomas Michael Banks.

Graduation Year	Class of 1973
Date of Birth	Jun 12, 1955
Date of Passing	Jul 15, 2025
About	Thomas Michael Banks, better known as ‘Mike,’ Northside Class of 1973, passed away suddenly on July 15, 2025. He was Seventy years-young. Mike was born on June 12, 1955 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at St. John’s Hospital. His parents were Thomas Murray Banks, and the late Kathryn Jo Treado – Banks. Mike grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was a graduate of Northside High School class of 1973, where he was enrolled in Army JROTC. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation and was promoted to Lance Corporal (E-3) upon completing Basic Training at Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating from Communications Basic School in San Diego, he began his military career. His duty stations included Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as a teletype operator. His enlistment ended in 1976, after a year as a Sergeant (E-5). Then he attended college, completing his undergraduate degree in 1979 with a BBA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He later earned a Masters in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma in 1992. But Mike wasn’t done with the military. After college, he toyed around with the idea of signing up again, finally deciding on the U.S. Army. To everyone’s astonishment, he enlisted, then went through Army "Boot-Camp" at Fort Rucker, Alabama at the age of Thirty. This time around, Mike was in it for the long haul. His first assignment was at the United Nations Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) mission in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. While there, he made Sergeant (E-5). Upon returning Stateside, he went to Letterkenny Army Depot, Pennsylvania, then on to Army Logistical School at Fort Lee, Virginia—but not before meeting his future wife, Wanda Vasquez of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Wanda and his sister Margie Banks (then a Lieutenant in the US Navy) went to Fort Lee for an important occasion—in addition to his graduating from logistics school—Mike was Commissioned as a Warrant Officer in the United States Army. Other postings included Pirmasens, Germany, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Mike wasn’t just ‘in the Army.’ The Army defined him—and this is where he became the best of himself. His last posting was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where Mike retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. After retiring from the Army, he lived in Southern Pines with his wife Wanda where they raised their four children until his untimely death. Mike served honorably for 20+ years and earned the following personal awards during his multi-service career: - Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters - Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters - Army Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters - Army Good Conduct Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters - Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal - National Defense Service Medal with a Bronze Star - Southwest Asia Service Medal with a Bronze Star - Humanitarian Service Medal - Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon 2 awards - Army Service Ribbon - Army Overseas Service Ribbon 2 awards - Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon - UN Multinational Forces Service Medal Mike is predeceased in life by his loving mother Kathryn and his youngest son Joey. He is survived by his Father Thomas of Fort Smith and an older sister, Commander Margaret Banks - Redmond, US Navy (Retired) of Little Orleans, Maryland, his wife Wanda Vasquez - Banks, eldest son Thomas Matthew Banks of Nashville, Tennessee, and two daughters Ivelisse Marie Banks of Durham, North Carolina and Rebecca Lynne Banks of Southern Pines, North Carolina.
Events	There will be no wake, public viewing, memorial, or funeral.

Classmate Memories

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Thomas "mike" '73 said:

From Mike’s older sister, Margie…
Growing up, he was quite the instigator. We were close in age and size, and did cool things around the
neighborhood. He was my cohort; we were partners in crime. Plus, Mike proved to be a natural dog trainer.
When on vacation, he and I went on arbitrary hikes in strange places—and somehow always found our way
back to the starting point. Don’t think our parents ever knew about that!
In high school, we were a good team: he typed my term papers and I did art projects for his reports. I
also graded his English essays.
After I enlisted in the Marine Corps, he did the following year. He was an E-3 (Lance Corporal) right
out of boot camp; I had just pinned on LCPL at that time. Ironically, later on, we made Corporal the same day,
and the following year, made Sergeant on the same day.
Mike had a dry, caustic wit and somewhat twisted humor. His sarcasm was almost an art form. Then
there was that wicked, grumbling laugh. I will miss that. I remember bailing him out of a jam when we were in
the Marine Corps, and later while in college, he needed help. And Mike lent me a hand on a few occasions.
While on active duty with the Navy, I attended his wedding in Puerto Rico, and then later he attended
mine in Maryland. I’d say we came out even.
He kidded me when I turned 70 in 2024, and last month, I welcomed him into the club.
I’ll miss you, little brother. More than that, Wanda and the kids will miss you—the amazing, weird dad and husband.
After retirement, Mike rarely traveled. IF he did, it, it was for special occasions, and there were very few
of those; he was very much a home-body. But Mike was a devoted dad, loved animals, and supported his kids’
interests—whatever they chose to do. And they carry him inside, wherever they go.
RIP, Mike. See you on the flip side.

Posted July 16th, 2025

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