Celebrating the Life of
Harvey W. Banks III
June 17, 1952 — March 16, 2024
About Harvey
Funeral Director
Obituary
Age 71 of Fairfax, VA, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. Harvey, also known to the family as Uncle Chuck, had a heart of gold. A natural storyteller, Harvey shared his love of golf and life of football. Harvey attended Texas Christian University and Howard University. “Coach Banks” returned to Arlington County and joined the staff of Yorktown High School in 1986 where he coached football and basketball and served as resource officer for over 30 years.
Harvey was preceded in death by his father Harvey Washington Banks II, PhD, beloved mother Ernestine Boykin and brother Dwann. He is survived by sister Deborah, brother Darryle, brother-in-law William Lange Jr. , sisters-in-law Sharon and Edie, nephews Alex and Jesse, nieces Marilyn Ann, Jordan, Caitlin, and great-nephews Cyrus, Leon, and Joseph.
Memorial donations may be made to the Harvey Washington Banks scholarship in astronomy, in care of the National Society of Black Physicists, 2010 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036, or to the American Cancer Society.
A celebration of life will be held on a future date to be announced.
Memories and Condolences
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I always knew Harvey as "Chuck". I was best friends with his younger brother Dwann, whom I met in 5th grade around 1967. Chuck was the "big brother" to Dwann and Darryle. Dwann and Darryle had special skills when it came to agitating Chuck and I loved being on the sidelines watching the dynamics between these three. Chuck was very funny, amazing story teller and overall great guy. We all will miss Chuck.
Rip
Today I received this notification of Harvey’s death from our good friend Dan Mountjoy. This was very sad news. I had known Harvey since 8th grade at Swanson Jr. High. In High School at Yorktown I was the guy with the car. Harvey, Dan and I traveled thousands of miles either snow skiing, going to Ocean City or just cruising around Northern Virginia. We had a great time growing up. There are many stories to be told, but one of my fondest was Harvey on the football field. Harvey was a very good football player. He was the first “Energizer Bunny” when you gave him the ball he was everywhere on the field and no one could catch him! You would see him get the ball, he would break through the line and off he would go. If he was playing High School football today he would be highly recruited. Harvey’s personality was catching and he had lots of friends. When Dan and I have gotten together or on the phone over the years we always had a story about Harvey or “Banks” as we called him. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. Jim O’Donnell
Working with Coach puts a smile on my heart. Coach Banks always had the time to help faculty and staff at Yorktown I always felt charged from Coaches energy, sincerity and his million dollar smile I’ll catch up with Coach Harvey on the other side. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
I worked with Harvey at Yorktown High School. He was always a gentleman, hard worker, and a great role model for the students. He was also devoted as a coach of football and basketball. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to his family.
I graduated from Yorktown in 2012, Mr. Banks ALWAYS said hi, asked me how I was and flashed me that big beautiful smile everytime I saw him. He made Yorktown a better place and he is one of the people who made my high school experience a little bit brighter. To his family, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a special person and was loved by so many, including me ❤️
I remember blocking for you at Yorktown. What a gifted athlete and wonderful person you are. I was so saddened to hear you had passed but know you are in a much better place now. John Grinnell Center Yorktown HS
