Claudis M. Banks

Claudis "Joe" came on the scene early in the morning of July 1935. Because he didn't want to come out, he kept his mom up all night. Joe worked hard all his life, sometimes three jobs but most of the time two, even as a kid. Joe's various jobs included a paper route, shining shoes and washing dishes. He did not play sports like most of his friends. When he was a small kid in Texas he was bat boy for the Lubbock Black Hubbers. Joe even sold the black newspaper on weekends. In 1947 his dad moved from Lubbock Texas to Portland Oregon to work in the ship yard. Joe joined him after his mother's death. In Portland, Joe attended Boise Grade School and he graduated from Jefferson High School. He attended Portland State University for a short time before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corp. After three years in the Marines he went to San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He returned to Portland and worked for Cox Funeral Home for a number of years. Joe worked at different hotels and clubs in the Portland area including the Waverly Country Club for twenty years. While there he rose to the position of head waiter. Joe also was the manager of the World Trade Cup. He changed careers and became a Sky Cap for United Airlines. For twenty-two years he worked as a Longshoreman and Sky Cap until he retired in 2003. Accustomed to working long hours and multiple jobs, Joe wasn't about to sit around, instead he joined a group of former United Airline Sky Caps and started "Premiere Baggage" a Sky Cap service company that contracted with United.
For the remainder of his life he and his wife of twenty-two years, Greta, lived half of the year in Portland, Oregon, and the other half in Mobile, Alabama. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Cornelious Banks, his first wife Jeweline, daughter Vanessa Baker and all but one of his siblings. Joe leaves to cherish his memory his loving devoted wife Greta Ponquinette Banks; daughter Rhonda Baye (Tacoma, WA) Cathy and Stephanie Banks (Portland, OR) and one son Claudis Banks (Portland, OR); sister and friend Vera Faye Heard (Houston, TX) and a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Joe's second family, all of Greta's children; Connie Badu, Carlos Chastang, Fante Chasting, Mario Chastang, LeJuan Chastang and Sean Chastang will also miss him. Uncle BB thanked all of Greta's nieces and nephews who showered him with kindness. He also thanked all of Greta's sisters and brother; Meryl Foster, Frank Ponquinette, and Berry and Cynthia Ponquinette, for the good southern hospitality.

Service

Immaculate Heart Catholic Church
2926 North Williams Avenue
Portland , OR US 97227
Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

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