Jacob Gregory Banyai (Jack) passed away on July 17, 2026, in his home with his family by his side.
Jack was born on May 23, 1933, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Karl and Katherina (Bogner Klupp) Banyai. He grew up on his family farm in Lefor, North Dakota. Jack was the youngest of 13 children (yours, mine and ours), and he was the last surviving child. He had a friendly rivalry with his brother Phillip who lived to be 97. He wanted to live the longest of the siblings and spoke of that often with good humor. Unfortunately his heart did not cooperate with his wish. He graduated from Dickinson High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education at Dickinson State University. He continued his education, receiving two master’s degrees and his CPA certificate.
On July 27, 1957, he married Charlotte Gayle Fritz, the love of his life. They had 58 wonderful years together in North Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma and Utah. Their last 38 years together were in Salt Lake City.
Jack served his country in the Army for two years.
Jack worked at a movie theater, a gas station, as a teacher, as superintendent of schools, and numerous other occupations to put himself through school while earning his master’s degrees. He held an accounting position at Conoco Oil in Ponca City, Oklahoma, then moved his family to Oklahoma City for another accounting position at Apco Oil. Finally, the family moved to Salt Lake City where he worked at Northwest Alaskan Pipeline as the Supervisor of Consolidation & General Accounts until he retired at 59 years of age.
Jack was an inspiration to everyone he met. He was a hard worker and always provided for his family. He enjoyed his life and his favorite thing to do was anything that Gayle asked of him. He was a master craftsman and could make just about anything out of wood. He could also remodel and fix anything in their home, and this was before YouTube! Sometimes his “shortcuts” made Gayle a little nervous but everything always worked out in the end. Jack and Gayle spent many years collecting Department 56 Villages and making wonderful displays in their home for the holidays with Christmas being their most extravagant. He also enjoyed keeping track of their inventory and watching their value go up (always the accountant), until it didn’t anymore. He was always all about the bargain. He loved a good deal on anything. Jack also donated many years providing accounting services to the Alliance House in Salt Lake City and working with the United Way of Salt Lake City. But most of all he adored his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jack is survived by his four children, sons Greg (Teresa), Clay (Stacy), Brad (Nicole) and his daughter Jeni (Danny), his nine grandchildren: Dusty, Alex (Mila), Jake (Jess), Jessi (Barry), Casey, Kaley (Spencer), Erik, Robby and Michael, and his five great-grandchildren: Layla, Aubree, Jack, Storie, Jesse, and another one on the way, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to St. Mark’s Hospital, Dr. Rebecca Moore and Nurse Mindy at St. Mark’s Senior Health Clinic, and Tam, Jill and the rest of the team at Quality Home Health and Hospice.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:00 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah. Viewings will be held on Sunday, July 26, 6-8 pm and one hour prior to services at the mortuary. The funeral will be livestreamed via Zoom and can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Services" button above.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Alliance House in Salt Lake City or to United Way of Salt Lake. Thank you.