Tom W. Banta

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the peaceful passing of Tom W Banta, 87, of Grand Junction, CO on July 14, 2026.

Tom was born on June 9, 1939, in Palisade, CO. As a child, he spent time in the mountains during the summer herding sheep with his parents and siblings. Tom loved basketball and played while attending Eagle County High School. He also played while attending Silt, Colorado and Baggs, Wyoming High Schools. He graduated from Eagle County High School in 1958. After high school, he joined the Marine Corp and served for 3 years.

When Tom returned home from the Marines, he married Ruth Bertroch and had one child, Tim. Tom and Ruth later divorced.

Tom loved the outdoors and liked to spend time with family picnicking and fishing in the mountains. One of his favorite places was Coffee Pot Springs above Sweetwater in Eagle County. It was a place that brought back fond memories of his childhood. Tom was a kind and caring man who took care of his mother and sisters and was always there when they needed him. Tom is preceded in death by his father Cecil, mother Myrtle, sisters Edith, Phyllis, Donna, Linda and brother Mike. He is survived by his sister JoAnne Shankel (Chet) of Grand Junction, CO and numerous nieces and nephews in Colorado and Utah.

One of Tom’s first jobs was helping to develop the Vail Ski Resort. Later, he worked for Western Slope Lumber skidding logs in the woods. He worked in construction for most of his career driving all types of trucks. He hauled dirt, rocks, heavy equipment, and anything else they asked him to on many construction projects throughout the state of Colorado, most notably was the interstate through the Glenwood Canyon.

Tom will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him. He never met a stranger and had an effect on many he met in his life. Thank you to his team at HopeWest and the staff at Eagle Ridge Acute Care facility for their care of Tom in his final days.

Services will be on Saturday, August 1, 2026, 2pm at Snyders Memorials and Funeral Home, 292 26 1/3 Rd, Grand Junction, CO. Burial will follow the service in DeBeque, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites gifts in Tom’s name to HopeWest.