Warren Louis Ballard Sr.

Warren Louis Ballard, Sr, 85, took his last flight home April 27, 2011 to be with his beloved wife of 50 years, Oma and children Frances and Kevin, who predeceased him. Warren was born in Flint Michigan on September 8, 1925. He served his country well, first as a flyer in WW 2 and then with a career as an Air traffic controller for the FAA, which included 4 years where he and his family were stationed in Bangkok, Thailand during the Vietnam conflict.

Warren loved his family, and the outdoors where every animal was his friend. He was an avid model railroader and his layout was an HO depiction of his family and his life, most of which was hand built with meticulous attention to detail.

Warren, Sr is survived by his three children Warren, Jr (Emily) Ballard, Paula (Brian) McCaffrey, and Susan Catherine (Richard) Kemper, Seven grandchildren Melissa & Warren, III (Ballard) , Catherine, Michelle, Christopher & Michael (McCaffrey) and Kevin, Jr (Ballard.) and 4 great-grandchildren.

Through the years Warren met and shared his stories and life’s journey with many human friends too. He had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor and was always happy for a laugh particularly at his own expense. He truly knew the meaning of “Balance” in one’s life with God and family first and everything else in equal parts. All that knew him always came away enriched by the meeting.

Family and friends are invited to “relax, sit down and have a cup of coffee” and celebrate his life at a viewing from 6:00-8:00pm Sunday May 1, and a funeral service at 2:00pm Monday, May 2, at the Hardage – Giddens Chapel at 4115 Hendricks Ave . In Lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens or the Wildlife Rescue Coalition of Northeast Florida, Inc. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens