Carlos Banta

Carlos Woodrow "Woody" Banta, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away on February 27, 2026, in Pensacola, FL, at Sacred Heart Hospital. Woody was born in Paris, KY to the late Robert and Lorene (Florence) Banta on February 19, 1939. Woody graduated from Bourbon County High School in 1958 and worked as a tool and die maker at Square D in Lexington, KY until his retirement in 2001. He also owned WB Plastics. He enjoyed fixing anything and everything, but most of all, he loved working on and fixing up his 1974 VW Thing. He was a jack of all trades and master of them too. He could fix anything. In his retirement, he loved to travel and take cruises. In 2015, he moved to Gulf Shores, AL where he got to watch his grandson grow up and was an integral part of his life. He loved living where it was warmer and no snow. Woody loved his family fiercely and enjoyed spending time with them. He loved watching Matlock, Murder She Wrote, and Perry Mason. Woody was truly the quiet strength of our family. He was the tree and foundation that carried us through each day. Family describes him as the most unshakeable gentle man they have ever met. His legacy will continue through his wonderful children and grandchildren.
Woody is survived by his wife, Sharon, his daughter Lucresha Banta, sons Dudley (Jenny) Banta, and Roger (Sherri) Banta, grandchildren Jakob Woodrow Banta, Konnor Ekberg, Cory Banta, and Rae (Austin) Wright, and sister Linda (Al) McNees. He also leaves behind many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Lee Banta, mother Hazel Lorene (Florence) Banta, and sister Elizabeth Banta.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at The Farm at Landworks, 246 Hume Bedford Rd, Paris, KY starting at 1 PM. Please join us as we celebrate the amazing life he lived and the amazing man he was. This will be a come when you can event.