Jon went to sleep, to be with his Lord on Saturday February 18, 2024. Jon is preceded in death by his father Harry and mother Henrietta Banks, his paternal grandparents Elder Jon and Lottie Banks, and his maternal grandparents Henry and Bobbi Ann Reynolds. Jon is survived by his brother Christopher (sister-in law, Tiffany) Banks, nephews Maize Banks and Panare’Yan Jackson.
Jon Henry Elder Banks was born to the late Harry and Henrietta Banks (nee Reynolds) on February 26, 1980. At the young age of three, Jon displayed his stellar gift for the visual arts. A gift that was passed down to him by his parents. He was an avid fan of Transformers, He-Man, Knight Rider, and the ever-popular Dukes of Hazzard. Growing up, he would soon develop a strong love and dedication to developing his basketball skills. In his free time Jon loved to collect basketball, baseball, and football cards. As a young man, he could be found looking at the Eastbay catalog for the latest sneakers and athletic and training gear. Jon enjoyed playing in his backyard basketball court on many nights with his lifelong and childhood friends the late Jerran Hunter, Rhys Tucker, Brian Womack, brother Christopher and first cousin Jennifer.

Under the direction and guidance of his father Harry, Jon blossomed into a stellar basketball player, with a high sports acumen. Jon, Chris, and their father spent many weekends traveling across the midwest to watch live collegiate basketball and football games. Jon, Chris and their father shared a very special loving and strong bond. A relationship where his father poured his strong work ethic, athletic expertise, and guidance to both of his boys. Jon’s natural athletic abilities coupled with his father’s coaching gained him acceptance into several elite basketball camps across the country, including Coach Rick Pitino’s at the University of Kentucky, and at the University of Michigan. When not traveling to live games, Jon, Chris and their father Harry could be found “across town” at Blue Grandmother’s house watching live sports on TV, eating Sunday dinner with his Blue Grandmother, Aunts Brenda, Linda, and Darnelle, Uncle Eugene and Cousin Jennifer.
Jon knew and loved the Lord, he regularly attended church with both of his grandmothers. On Sundays he could be found at Mt Pleasant Baptist Church with his Blue Grandmother, Lottie Banks, or with his Red Grandma, the late Bobbie Ann Reynolds.

As brothers, Jon and Chris shared an inseparable bond. The name Jon was synonymous with Chris. Chris looked up to Jon. Jon served as a role model for his younger brother. He never once denied Chris the opportunity to spend time with him, Jon’s friends were Chris’ friends. On May 4th, 2013 his best friend was born, Maize Grey’son Banks. As Jon named his nephew, their began an unbreakable relationship. From the day he was born, Maize and Jon were always together. Uncle Jon taught Maize how to play X-Box and was an example of unconditional love to his nephew. On any day, Maize and Jon could be found taking selfies, playing X-Box, and sharing a large plate of both their favorite lemon pepper wings.

In 1998, Jon graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. Jon never missed an opportunity to travel, and thoroughly enjoyed holidays with his family. He was a model, musician, rapper, and still an avid Cleveland Cavaliers and Browns sports fan. He remained a lifelong supporter of his father’s alma mater, The University of Michigan! A leader in all aspects, he worked at Whole Foods in University Heights, and received a promotion for his dedication and leadership skills. Jon served as a friend to many and was loved and respected. To be in Jon’s presence was to be in the presence of greatness, and everyone blessed to know him was always aware of the bright light he shared with his family and friends. Jon was an amazing uncle to Maize and Panare’Yan, a wonderful younger cousin to Nicole (Deon), and a role model to younger cousins Jennifer, Ashley, Kayla, Deon, Kaydence, and Kayleigh.