Arnold Douglas Banta, 89, of Tampa, FL went home to be with our Lord on August 16, 2013. His funeral service is 7:00 PM Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at the North Boulevard Church of Christ, 14901 North Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33613, with William Ramsey of Somerset, Kentucky, to officiate. The family will receive friends at the church from 5:30 PM until the service begins at 7:00 PM. Burial with military honors will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at the Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513.
A native of Brooksburg, Indiana, Arnold moved to the Tampa Bay area from Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1975. Arnold served in the US Army during World War II and the Korean War and medically retired from the US Army as a Master Sergeant. During his military service, MSGT Banta was awarded a World War II Victory Medal; Good Conduct Medal; US Army Commendation Medal; American Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Korean Service Medal with three Service Stars; United Nations Service Medal; Bronze Star Medal with “V” and Oak Leaf Cluster; and a National Defense Service Medal. After retiring from the US Army, Arnold went to work for and retired from the US Post Office as a mail handler. He is a member of the Church of Christ and worshipped with the congregation at North Boulevard for the past 35 years.
Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Foster and Anna (Locke) Banta; a brother, Kip Banta; a sister, Elaine Mason; and grandchildren, Kaitlyn Smith and Michael Colon. Survivors include his wife of almost 60 years, Lena (Ramsey) Banta of Tampa; four daughters: Deborah Sheppard, Julia Colon, Kimberly Conrad, and Kitty Smith and her husband, Daniel, all of Tampa; six grandchildren: Maria Snider, Mark Colon, Cassie Marek, Jackie Vogt, Hunter Smith, Hannah Smith; and three great grandchildren: Emma Snider, Ava Snider, and Bryson Colon.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Home Association, 1205 E 22nd Ave, Tampa, FL 33605.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
So sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
We were so sorry to hear of Bro Banta’s passing. We are so happy to have spent several years worshipping with the Banta’s and came to know and appreciate the faithfulness and giving spirit of the Banta family. You will be sorely missed.