Lawrence “Larry” Kirk Banks, of Williamsburg, V.A., passed away on June 11, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Julia Gray Smith Banks, in 2011, and his older brother, Charles A. Banks, III, of Gloucester, V.A. in 2022.
Larry is survived by his partner, Elizabeth Kight Simpson (Penny) of Williamsburg, V.A.; his daughters, Laura Banks Hardwicke (Timothy), Jennifer McMillan Banks (David), and Catherine Elizabeth Banks; as well as his four grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
Larry was born March 12, 1943, in Greensboro, N.C. to Charles A. Banks, Jr. and Madge McMillan Banks. Larry received his A.B. from Duke University in 1965. While at Duke, he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, swam, played Lacrosse, and sang in the school choir.
He received his L.L.B. from Duke University School of Law in 1967 (graduating Order of the Coif), his L.L.M. in taxation from Georgetown School of Law in 1971 and clerked for the United States Tax Court. He joined the law firm of Greenebaum, Doll & McDonald in Louisville, Kentucky and was a partner there and in the Lexington office until he retired in 1999.
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1975 (at the age of 32), Larry was a longtime advocate for diabetes research and development. In 1979, in partnership with Dr. Steven Leichter and others, Larry founded the Kentucky Chapter of the Diabetes Foundation to promote diabetic research and education throughout the state. In 1990, Larry became one of the first recipients of a fully internal insulin pump, a cutting-edge procedure and device at the time.
Always someone who lived the life of the mind, Larry was a voracious reader and student of history. He loved to argue politics and world events.
As a remembrance, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
