April 9, 1945 – January 10, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Darrold Albert Banta on January 10, 2024 in Grande Prairie, AB.
Darrold was born April 9, 1945 in Calgary, AB to Floyd & Grace (nee Key) Banta, joining Beverly and a year later Anna Mae joined the family. They lived on a farm near Dogpound until his dad took ill and Grace and the kids moved to the teacherage at Reed Ranch before settling in Didsbury in the early 1950’s. Darrold became the man of the house and looked out for his mom and little sister.
Darrold graduated from Didsbury High School and began a career in the oil industry doing numerous jobs before joining the then ERCB in Red Deer in 1970, with moves to Whitecourt, where Melissa was born in 1980 and finally settling in Grande Prairie, where Greg was born in 1985. He retired from the AEUB in 2002, but those who knew Darrold know he couldn’t sit still for very long so he joined the Ken Sargent team as a shuttle driver and was still there at the time of his passing.
Darrold played hockey for many years with the Didsbury Ramblers and enjoyed the sport as a spectator as he grew older. Darrold was an avid sports fan which included numerous trips with Greg, Anna Mae and his nieces to watch MLB, NBA, NHL & CFL games and lots of trips for curling in Vegas. Darrold also loved to golf, there were several “Guys Golf Trips” to Mesquite, NV and lots of family golf weekends.
Darrold leaves to mourn his daughter Melissa Banta, granddaughter Elizabeth and his son Greg Banta, his nieces and nephew, Sharon Foshaug (Norman) children Laine & Breanna; Debbie Iversen (John) children Luke & Abbey; Peggy Fulkerth; Beverlee Collinge (Ken) children Amber & Kyle; Ben Fulkerth (Christine). He was predeceased by his parents Floyd & Grace Banta, sister Beverly, sister Anna Mae and her husband Bernie Fulkerth, and son-in-law Kevin Derksen.
At Darrold’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.
