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 very sorry for your loss. Over the years it has been very
1clear that you two were a matched set and very supportive of each other. You have hundreds of folks wishing they can help your family in any way.
I am so, so sorry.
2Of course you and your family have my prayers.
Take all the time you need.
My deepest condolences for your devastating loss. Very sorry to hear this news.
3May Don’s memory be a blessing. I’m so very sorry.
4Bless your heart, sweetie. I just wish we were geographically close enough for me to give you hug!
5I’ve enjoyed reading your not-a-blog for years, but I’ve never commented before now. Please accept my inadequate condolences for your loss. May God grant you and your family comfort and consolation. You and Mr. Bankston have inspired me and others with your fierce spirit tempered with humor. May Mr. Bankston rest in peace.
6A terrible. shocking disaster. I’m so sorry for you all.
7This year is not starting out so great for many of us who have lost loved one’s and friends. So sorry for your loss, stay safe.
8I am so sorry for your loss and disappointed that I never got to meet him. Please know that you and everyone you love are in my prayers.
9I don’t have the words. I’m very sorry.
10I found this.
https://www.fbherald.com/free/bankston-sworn-in-as-associate-justice/article_ca91ba74-fb33-11e9-b083-b7958d3b4b6f.html
I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your best friend and partner. It’s a difficult time for you and I will be praying and thinking about you. May God give you strength. Hugs and kisses.
11I am so sorry for your loss.
12Wishing you and your family Peace and Love during this difficult time.
13Like so many others, I’m very sad to hear of your enormous loss. May you and your family find solace in your love for each other. We’ll miss you while you’re away from the site.
14Oh, I’m so terribly sorry to hear such sad news! I’ll be thinking of you and your family.
15as an avid reader I would first like to say how much I respect the work done by Juanita Jean and Team.
Secondly, The partially done obit was beautiful and very eloquently written. I really wish that I would have met
Judge Bankston when he was around. He sounds like the kind
of gentleman I would like to have been called a friend of.
Please accept my condolences from me and my family to yours.
I live on the left coast and I know that we all have a fight on our hands and we won’t quit now.
God Bless Judge Donald W. Bankston
16We extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Judge Don’s obit is beautifully written.
17I’m heartbroken for you and the family Susan ..Don will be remember w a smile because of his kindness,and his dedication to you and turning Ft Bend Blue. I .Love you but I have no words for this horrible loss . I’m so sorry .. Bless you with faith that knows no boundries. Wrapping arms around Ben you and the Family…Rest well Don
18Am so sad for your loss.
Condolences,
Gloria Hooper
19So sorry for your loss. The judge was one of the good guys. He fought for good causes. Why is it the good ones leave us. Take care Ted
20Thankfully, he experienced the JOY of having a good, caring POTUS in charge. My heart goes out to you and yours, may your grief be shortened by the so many fond memories you have.
21God be With You.
I feel so bad for you right now. My dad died when he and my mom had been married 51 years, and she was devastated, so although I don’t know how you feel (nobody knows that about someone else’s bereavement), I think I can understand how you feel. Your husband sounds like he was quite a man, and you should feel comforted by the memory of that.
Please take your time getting back in the saddle.
22I’m so sorry, Susan. Don seems like a hell of a guy, and he would have to be to be married to you. May he Rest In Peace.
23I am so sorry for your loss. You all have helped me stay sane the last four years. I wish you peace in your memories.
24I am so sorry to read about this.
25Hang in there, JJ. He feels far away now, but he will always be with you. You will continue to fight the good fight because he will always be right there at your side. You just can’t feel him right now.
We all love you.
26What a wonderful life in the service of others. He will be greatly missed by those his life has touched.
Sad for you and your family
27On behalf of Democrats in Senate District 18, I offer condolences to Susan and family on the passing of Don Bankston. No words can ease the pain associated with this loss, but know that we all treasured Don and will miss him greatly. But also know that you are part of our family and we stand with you in our loss. May peace and comfort abound in the Lord.
28Oh, Susan, I am so deeply sorry at the passing of your Other Half. 50 years can feel like such a short time, and you two have been formidable force together. You have all the love and support in the world from those of us in the WMDBS.
29My deepest condolences to you and your family.
30Susan, I am happy for every minute you and Don had together. I hurt for you that he is gone. I offer this poem. I have changed a few pronouns: Tis a fearful thing To love What death can touch. To love, to hope, to dream, And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
Love,
But a holy thing,
To love what death can touch.
For his life has lived in you;
Your laugh once lifted him;
His word was a gift to you.
To remember this brings painful joy.
‘Tis a human thing, love,
A holy thing,
To love
What death can touch.
~ Judah Halevi
31My heart just broke as the tears uncontrollably flow.
32Big hugs.
Jay
I’m so sorry. My heart breaks for you.
33Oh, Susan! I am so sorry! All the hugs in the world.
I am holding you and your family in the light.
34I am so very sorry. My heart is with you and everyone who loved him.
35Words simply cannot convey the sense of shock and loss in the sudden passing of one’s greatest love. Thinking of your entire family with the deepest sorrow.
36My sincere condolences for Don’s loss. May you and your family be blessed with comfort during your sorrow. Rest in peace, Don. We’ll be here for you, JJ.
I offer this quote from a poem by John O’Donohue:
“Though your days here were brief,
37Your spirit was alive, awake and complete.”
I am so sorry to hear this. Your husband was an excellent husband, father, and grandfather, and someone who worked to make the lives of others better.
38It’s not fair.
39I wish I had a magic wand that could take all your pain away but as I don’t I can only offer my sympathy. I am very sorry for your loss.
What an accomplished life! And you were together 50 years – that is so wonderful.
40I am so very sad and sorry for the loss of your true love.
41What a shocking and heartbreaking loss! But what a life of great deeds and service. Peace, love, and blessings on all of the Bankston family.
42So very sorry to check your page and discover the loss of your dear hubby!
43My condolences to you and the family!
Condolences 🙁 No words can express it
44You may never again be in the same room together, but he’ll never leave you. (Though I do hope he can take a few minutes to drop by Merde a Lardo and torment a few people for you and us.) We know from painful experience life is not fair, but this is really too much. I hold you, Bubba, and your family in my heart.
45Condolences from San Antonio, sorry for your loss, kind of like when “Bartcop” passed, a life well lived though and your sentiments very touching. Peace & love to you & your kids.
46Shockingly sad news…so very sorry for you and your family.
47As an avid reader of your website, it feels like losing a dear family friend. As a fellow American, it is a great loss for the good fight. As a spouse also for 50 years, my heart is in pain for you. He was such a good man.
My sincerest condolences, Susan / Juanita. Holding your Bubba in light and you in a big bear hug.
48My deepest and most heartfelt condolences on your immeasurable loss. If I was the praying sort, I’d offer one or two in your family’s name. Being a heathen, though, I’ll just raise a glass in salute to one the very goodest of the good guys.
49I am so, so sorry for your loss.
50