I’m Broken
Y’all, there is no other to say this, but my Bubba Don passed away unexpectedly last night.
I’m really not ready to talk about it, but I need time to mourn and heal as best I can. El Jefe has agreed to take over the joint and give me the precious gift of time.
I’m including the first draft on Don’s obituary written by our sons. Please keep us in your prayers.
Judge Donald W. Bankston, 73, of Richmond, passed away on March 24, 2021.
Born and raised in Dallas, Judge Bankston left his hometown to pursue a law degree at the University of Houston. He went private practice in Houston and then moved to Richmond in 1984 as a young lawyer to raised his family.
During the first half of his career, Don served as a prosecutor with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office. Over the next half of his career, Don became a local legend in private practice, known for his uncompromising defense of constitutional rights, his battles against police brutality and corruption, and his fierce stands against prosecutorial overreach. He was also a pioneer in the fight to keep junk science out of the courtroom.
Don was also well known as a lifelong community activist and a foundational figure in creating the local Democratic Party. In the GOP-dominated 1990s, Don began the long process of organizing a local party from scratch, and for the next 30 years, he labored tirelessly for the ideals he was so passionate about. To his peers in politics, he was variously known as a true believer, a troublemaker, a negotiator, a rabble-rouser, and a steadfast mentor to a generation of public servants.
During the last years of his life, Judge Bankston was deeply honored to preside in the 268th District Court, a privilege he undertook with great sincerity. Judge Bankston was kind, sympathetic, and accommodating to every party who entered his courtroom, except perhaps to the attorneys representing banks seeking to foreclose for minor HOA fee delinquencies in the midst of a pandemic. His rebuke of these banks was a point of personal pride.
Don is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan DuQuesnay Bankston, a former teacher, journalist, political humorist, and currently semi-professional grandma, his son Bryan Bankston, a veteran and an artist who works at the Fort Bend County Libraries, his son Mark Bankston, a plaintiff’s lawyer, his daughter-in-law Elizabeth Eakin, an environmental prosecutor, and his grandson Benjamin Bankston, his best buddy in the whole world. Don will be joining his departed son Chip Bankston on the other side, where they can watch Astros games while wearing Hawaiian shirts and reminiscence about riding in the MS-150.
The family plans to announce a public service soon when gatherings become safer. Condolences can be sent to Mark Bankston, Farrar & Ball, LLP, 1117 Herkimer St, Houston, TX 77008. Donations are suggested to the Autism Society of Texas or the Juanita Jean PAC on Act Blue to keep making good trouble.
So sorry to hear this, JJ. May memories of who he was and what he did rest in your heart and give you comfort.
1My condolences to you and your family. I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. Your family is in my prayers. Sending love and hugs.
2My sympathies. Losing a loved one unexpectedly will have you frozen in shock for a while. Do whatever you have to do to heal yourself
3My hopes for you, Ms. Susan, during this time of unimaginable pain and grief is that the many years of beautiful memories you and your husband made and shared will sustain you during the days and months to come.
Judge Bankston will be missed by all those who were privileged to know him and, I suspect by those whose lives he touched during the course of his legal career. The world is poorer for his passing.
May you be enveloped in a healing and protective white light. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
jaime
4I am so sorry for your loss. I only know you and Bubba through this website, but he was the kind of person I deeply admire. My condolences to you and your family.
5My heart breaks for you and your family.
6I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family. And the world. We have lost a fighter for justice.
7Susan, I am so sorry for your loss. I’ve known Don since 2004 when we were both working to help Richard Morrison defeat Tom Delay. He has been a friend and mentor and he will be deeply missed.
8Shocked and saddened by your sudden loss. Prayers and love to you and your family.
9Our deepest condolences from the folks here in Louisiana. Life without him will never be the same but you create life all around you for which we are all grateful.
10Sorry for your loss. Wish we could have net. Sounds like a guy you could have had a good conversation with.
11As i grieve the loss of my husband, Abbott L Wright III, I’m thinking of you, Susan. I’m so sorry and I understand your pain and your grief.
12Please accept my deepest condolences. That is a loss that cannot be defined with words. Time will not ease the pain, it will stay, but you’ll know enough in time to hold it where it needs two be. Just for you.
I am so sorry.
13Sincerest condolences.
14Susan, A tragedy for your family and a loss for caring and decent people throughout Texas and the world. Extending our deepest sympathies from my wife Georgia and me.
May his memory be for a blessing.
15I am so very sorry for your loss. All our prayers and thoughts for peace and comfort in this time go out to you and your
All of us at Crooks and Liars are holding you close.
16Susan, I am so sorry for you and your families loss. Bubba was and will always be a shining light
17The world is a smaller place when a man like your husband passes. It was a life well lived but should have been a decade or more longer. Please find comfort in knowing how much you are loved.
18May the sweetest memories shared with your beloved husband bring you comfort and peace in the days ahead. I lost a son on January 23 and am now seeking the help needed to deal with the loss.
19There are no words adequate to express our sadness for your loss Susan, Bryan, Mark, Elizabeth, and precious Ben. We’ve all lost a great man, beautiful soul, and extraordinary human. We hold you in our hearts and stand at the ready to support you in any way you desire. We know that Don and Chip are working as your Angels, loving you, and watching over you. Susan, please know how much we love you, always.
20I’m so sorry to hear this, Susan. Don was indeed a foundational figure so many areas beyond the Democratic Party in FB County. I will miss his easy smile and cheerful countenance.
Healing thoughts to you and yours.
21I have no words to ease your pain at the loss of your beloved husband. I wish there was something I could do for you and your family. I am not alone in hoping that you find strength and comfort in knowing how much we all love you. Please let our love surround you and lift you up at this time and know that our hearts ache for you. You have touched so many people and made such a difference in our lives and I for one will always be grateful for your caring and humor during some very difficult times. Please let us know if we can do anything to help you and your family. May God bless you all.
22I’m so sorry for your loss. I cannot begin to imagine how much this hurts, but know that I am thinking of you. May his memory be a blessing always.
-kiriaki
23I have no words … deepest condolences to you and the boys. Love, Peggy
24I am so sorry to hear this news. The world is a lesser place without him in it. Take care of you and may you find great comfort in your sweet memories.
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