George N Babanats Jr's Obituary
George Nick Babanats, Jr. died at home in Tampa, Florida surrounded by his family on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025.
Nick was born to George and Ruby Babanats on November 29, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas. At only a few weeks old, Nick and his parents moved to Moultrie, Georgia. He graduated from Moultrie High School. After high school Nick attended Auburn University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in building and construction. He was a true Auburn Tiger and would make sure to call out “War Eagle” at every opportunity he had. Shortly after graduating from Auburn, Nick enlisted in the US Navy where he spent two years as a Navy Seabee.
Once he completed his time in the Navy, Nick moved to Tampa, Florida where he would meet the love of his life, Arlene. Nick and Arlene married in 1974. Nick and Arlene welcomed their first son Kevin in 1976 and their younger son Michael in 1980. Nick was a loving father, always volunteering to help at his sons’ school carnivals or cheering them on from the soccer sideline. Nick loved to travel with his wife Arlene and spend many of their vacations on cruise ships where he loved to photograph their adventures. Nick was blessed 14 years ago and became a grandfather. His greatest joy in life was undoubtedly his grandchildren who referred to him as Papa or Grandpa. He had four grandchildren, Kevin Jr, Jackson, Juliana, and Isabella, which he cherished every day. You could find Nick again at the sidelines of their soccer games taking pictures and cheering them on or at their dance recitals. Nick was the kindest and most caring person to all who met him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, and friend to all he met. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Early in his career he worked for Sam Ferlita at Bush Gardens as a project manager building new construction and roller coasters. Nick then joined the construction company of Rañon and Jimenez where he was a project manager, estimator, and Vice President. He stayed with Rañon Inc until he retired in 2021.
Nick was preceded in death by his parents George and Ruby Babanats, his in-laws Julio and Mary Fernandez, and his aunts and uncles Prentice and Barbara Howard and James and Avis Hall.
Nick is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Arlene Babanats, sons Kevin (Melissa) Babanats and Michael (Jessica) Babanats, grandchildren Kevin Babanats Jr., Jackson Babanats, Julianna Babanats, and Isabella Babanats, his brother Robert (Becky) Babanats, nephew William (Elizabeth) Babanats, niece Natasha (Colin) Anderson, also by his grandniece Emma and grandnephew Ellis.
Pallbearers will include his sons, Kevin and Michael, grandsons, Kevin Jr. and Jackson, brother Robert Babanats, and nephew William Babanats. Honorary Pallbearers will include Michael Sierra, Carlos Rañon, Joe Rañon Jr., and Frank Colelli.
A visitation will be held at Boza and Roel on Armenia Ave on Thursday, May 15th at 11am, followed by a service at 12pm. Entombment services will follow at 1:30pm at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Following the entombment at Garden of Memories, his former place of employment of Rañon Inc. will be hosting a reception in his honor at their office on Howard Ave.
Donations can be made to:
Metropolitan Ministries:
https://secured.metromin.org/page/32469/donate/1
Centro Español Cemetery Fund (2306 N. Howard Ave, Tampa, Fl 33607):
https://centroespanoltampa.org/support-our-mission/
Suncoast Hospice in his honor:
https://suncoasthospicefoundation.org/donations2/
What’s your fondest memory of George?
What’s a lesson you learned from George?
Share a story where George's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with George you’ll never forget.
How did George make you smile?