Lonnie G. Banks, Sr.

Lonnie G. Banks, Sr., 89, of Topeka, went to be with his Lord on Monday, October 12, 2026. He was born December 27, 1936 in Montserrat, Missouri, the son of Glenn and Florence (Calvert) Banks.

Lonnie graduated from C.C. Hubbard High School in Sedalia, Missouri. He was the first black person to attend Central Missouri State University on a full ride football scholarship. He then signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians in September 1954. He was employed by the Topeka City Water and the Parks & Recreation Department in Topeka, and then retired from School District No. 11 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Lonnie was a stranger to no one and talked to everyone he met. He loved to dance, had a contagious personality and always kept people laughing. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Lonnie married Marcia E. Banks on February 18, 1967 in Topeka. She survives. Other survivors include five children, Anthony Banks, Marcia M. Banks-Braxton, Debra "Deb" Banks-Hartke, Christina Banks-Jackson, and Rebecca Banks-Siquenza, all of Topeka, twenty-three grandchildren, over fifty great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and a niece and nephew.

Lonnie was preceded in death by one son, Lonnie G. Banks, Jr., one daughter, Belinda Frierson, and one grandson, Durant R. "Buddy" Redmond.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 23, 2026 at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. Cremation will follow services, and private inurnment will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2026 at the funeral home.

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