Paul Palmer Ballard

BALLARD, Paul Palmer, 82, of Seminole,FL passed away surrounded by his family into the arms of Jesus on March 10, 2012. Born just outside of Buffalo in Kenmore, NY, then moving to Rochester where he grew up and married Eileen his wife of 47 years. She preceded him in death in 2002.

Dad served on the aircraft carrier Coral Sea on the flight deck as a Signalman. He had a lot of great stories about his adventure’s on the flight deck and proud to have served his country. Dad had a great respect for Lt. Col. James Doolittle and His Raiders.He graduated from the College at Brockport: State University of New York with a degree in Physical Education.

In 1967 he moved to Florida with his family where they lived in Pinellas County. He would marvel at how many changes there have been since then. Dad loved just about everything especially adventure. He made many trips to the Smoky Mts. which he loved and knew like the back of his hand. Lucky for us as he shared his love for the mountains and all outdoors. Dad was a great photographer and at one time he owned and ran Paul’s Camera Shop. He had a love for music, his favorite singer being John Gary.He was a natural at fixing just about anything and that is quite a gift. Dad adopted a precious little dog from the SPCA, Jesse, and the two were inseparable. He loved all creatures great and small especially his backyard squirrels. The USF Bulls had Dad’s heart as did the Tampa Bay Rowdies from back in the day.

Dad loved his family and is survived by sister, Carol Pressley and husband Jim of Albuquerque; daughter, Kim Winton and husband Jack of Pinellas Park; daughter, Erin Mills and husband Jim of Indian Rocks Beach; son, Marc Ballard and fiancée Lorna Moore of Brandon and son, Patrick Ballard and wife Lisa of San Francisco. Grandchildren, Michelle Lyall (Pieter), Kelly Huthison (John), Connor Ballard; step-grandchilden Connor Yi and Madelyn Moore. Great-Grandchildren Autumn, Ashley, Joey Hutchison and Morgan Lyall; and many nieces, nephews and good friends.

We’ll miss you Dad and who’s gonna fix our car’s now?

Visitation will be this evening, March 14, 2012 from 6-8 pm at Moss-Feaster Funeral Home, Largo. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 am Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pinellas Park. Burial will follow in Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, Largo. Memorial contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to the American Diabetes Assoc. or to SPCA Tampa Bay. Please visit www.mossfeastrelargo.com for complete details or call (727) 562-2080.