Capt. John Martin Banta, USNR (Ret)

Capt. John Martin Banta, USNR (Ret) of Sevierville, died Thursday, October 16, 2003. He was a graduate of Oak Ridge High School, the University of Tennessee and Golden Gate University. He served as an intelligence analyst on the staff of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam, for which he received the Navy Commendation Medal. He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1999 after thirty-eight years of service. In 1994 he retired from federal civil service after more than twenty years working for the Navy, Army and U.S. Forest Service in California. He was a member of the Friends of the Pigeon Forge Library and had been a volunteer at Ft. Sanders-Sevier Medical Center. Mr. Banta was preceded in death by his father Dr. H. Eugene Banta. He is survived by: Mother: Hazel Rippy Banta-Hays Wife: Kathaleen Banta Sons: H. Scott Banta and wife Jennie Banta, Joseph Banta and wife Kristye Banta Brother: Dr. H. David Banta and wife Ellen t’Hoen Sister: Sara Levering Smith and husband Dr. A. Roy Smith Grandchildren: H. Tyler Banta, Alexandria Banta, Arianna Banta Nieces, nephews, and other relatives Graveside service and interment will be held Monday, October 20 at 1:30 PM at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 5901 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, with The Reverend Don Grady officiating. Military honors provided by Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville is handling arrangements. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)