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.
No words exist to make this easier for you. Take all the time you think you need and then take more time. Grieve in your own way and in your own time.
Sending virtual hugs to you and your family.
1An exemplary life.
2Condolences for your loss from the wide border state.
Strange that grief should now almost choke me, because another human being’s eye has failed to greet mine.
~ Charlotte Bronte
3Too young, too soon and much too loved to express in words. Love and hugs to all of the Bankston family and friends. An extra hug for Benjamin Bankston just because …
4We’re so sorry, Susan.
5I am terribly sorry.
6We are so sorry for your loss.
7Much love to you Susan and your sweet family.
8Shocking news. My heart is broken for you and yours. Take all the time you need. We all love you.
9I am so sorry, Juanita Jean.
I am holding you and your family in the light.
10such a loss
11so sorry
I am so, so sorry!
12Susan and family,
13I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you all. Hugs and much love.
My most sincere condolences on your loss. Judging by his family, we have all lost a good man.
14So very sorry.
15I’m so sorry to hear this news. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
16My heartfelt sorrow at this news. Peace and comfort to you and your family.
17So very sorry for you and the family.
18Oh, Susan, I am crying right along with you. I am so sorry. I wish I knew what more to say. Just sending my love to you and yours. Lynne
19My wife and I are so sorry for your loss. There’s nothing more important than family and our hearts go out to all of you. He lived a life to be proud of and his memory and legacy will live on.
20I’m so very sorry. It’s a dark day.
21I am heartbroken for you, JJ. All my healing thoughts and prayers for you to get through this shock and mourning of your beloved. It is a blessing to have your sons to rally around you as they deal with their own grief.
22So, so sorry to hear this sad news.
23So very, very sorry for your loss, Susan. Such an impressive man. Blessings upon you and yours.
24I’m so sorry! The world, Texas, and especially you and your family, have lost such a good man. Much sympathy, condolences, and many hugs to you all. Take all the time you need. We’ll be here when you come back.
25All of our sympathy goes out to you.
26My condolences for your loss Susan. I’m so sorry.
27My sincerest condolences Susan and to your family as well.
May you find comfort in the knowledge that he made your corner of the world a better place and helped numerous people during the worst parts of their life when they needed it most.
As you recall the years and experiences that you two shared,
28remember that some folks are just around for 73 years, but Bubba Don had 73 years of real living, loving and caring thanks to you.
“What a great man!” was what came to mind reading through the obituary. Be at peace and know family and friends will help sustain, now and in the future.
29So very sorry for your loss.
30Devastating news. So sorry.
31My condolences for your loss. A warm embrace for your family and you.
32I’m so so very sorry for your heartbreak. My sincerest condolences to you and your family. May his memory be a blessing.
33I am so very sorry, Susan.
34I am so sorry, Susan. Deepest sympathy to you and your family.
35A life well lived, is well worth living. RIP
36Don will be missed. He was a great Democrat.
37Profoundly sorry, Susan. His love lives on in all of you.
38Hearts from so many locations weep with you.
39What a wonderful life dedicated to the service of others. He will be truly missed by everyone.
40My deepest condolences and sympathy to you Ms. B, and all your family. The days -will- begin to get brighter in a while.
41I’m so sorry to hear this. Of course, you must take all the time that you need. We’ll be here when you feel able to come back.
42So very, very sorry for your loss. Deepest condolences to you and your family. Light and love to you all. 🙁
43Our family wishes your family
Pride in your Leader, and hopes
you will all be inspired further
to emulate his example!
Keep calm and carry on!
44May the memory of this great Texan be a blessing to your family for generations to come. My sincerest condolences on your loss.
45I’m so sorry for this unexpected and heartbreaking loss for you and for your family.
46I am so sorry for your loss, but so grateful for the life of service this remarkable man lived. I pray for God’s strength and comfort to you all.
47I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. You are in my thoughts. Hugs/arms are wrapped around you. Grief evens out over time. Really it does. I know. I lost my sweet man 1 1/2 years ago and one of my sons 10 years ago. Life really is a journey.
48And, do whatever pleases you…..
Much love from Indy.
My deepest condolences to you and your family. God bless and keep you surrounded with the love of your family and friends.
49Saddened to hear this news. I have no words.
50