David Russell Banks

David Russell Banks of Fayetteville, Ark., was born Feb. 15, 1937, in Arcadia, Wis., to John Russell and Cleone Nelson Banks. He passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in San Diego, Calif., at the age of 76. Banks was widely recognized as a leader in the long-term care industry, his career cumulating with appointment as chairman and CEO of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. Raised in Harrison, Ark., Banks graduated from the University of Arkansas where he was a proud brother of Sigma Chi fraternity, eventually achieving the distinction of Significant Sig. In 1959, Banks entered the executive training program of First National Bank in Dallas, Texas. He joined the investment firm of Dabbs, Sullivan, Trulock in Little Rock, Ark., in 1963, advancing to vice president and partner in 1967. His career in the long-term care industry began when he affiliated with Stephens, Inc. in the early 70's. He was elected to the board of Leisure Lodges, Inc., a nursing home company located in Fort Smith, Ark., and in 1975, he was chosen to be chairman of the board of Leisure Lodges. In 1976, Banks was appointed to the board of directors of Beverly Enterprises, Inc., one of the nation's largest nursing home corporations. He was elected president in 1979, CEO in 1989, and chairman of the board in 1990. He retired from Beverly at the end of 2001, after unprecedented successes in the long-term care industry. Banks turned his attention and expertise to new ventures in a broad range of companies. He most recently served on the board of directors of Post Foods, the Walton Arts Center, and the Foundation for the Future of Aging. He also served on the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee. He is a past member of the governing boards of Ralston Purina, Ralcorp, Wal-Mart Corporation, Agribrands International, Inc., WellPoint Health Networks, and Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. David Banks was an avid fly fisherman and a major collector of contemporary American art and contemporary ceramics. His favorite times were those spent at Banks Farm with his children and grandchildren. He was most passionate about the gardens at the farm and enjoyed them from his porch with a fine glass of wine and a great cigar. "Never met a stranger" sums up this wonderful, most caring and loving man. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Gordon Banks. He is survived by his wife, Rosamond Sample Brown Banks; two daughters, Melissa Gay Banks of Fayetteville; Billie Sunday Banks of Scottsdale, Ariz.; one son, John Michael Banks and his wife, Jamie, of Fayetteville; four grandchildren, Georgie Banks, Olivia Banks, Mary Helen Banks and David Banks II; two stepsons, Stewart Brown of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Garrett Brown of North Little Rock, Ark. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday Jan. 4, 2013, at the Fayetteville High School Performing Arts Center (994 West Martin Luther King Boulevard in Fayetteville) under the direction of Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Giroir, Larry Grisham, Steve Mangan, Jay McEntire, Jerry Moore, Leroy Freeman and Jim Lipscomb. Memorial contributions may be made to the David Banks Nursing Scholarship (University of Arkansas, 214 Graduate Education Bldg., Fayetteville, Ark. 72701) or the Walton Art Center (P.O. Box 924, Fayetteville, Ark. 72702). To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.