He is survived by his son, Glenn Ballard, his nieces, Joan Ballard and Kathryn Ballard, and his grandchildren, Katherine Ballard, Ellie Ballard, Jedidiah Ballard, and Addie Ballard. He was predeceased by his father, Ira (“Ike”) Ballard, his mother, Nell Ballard, his brother, Hugh Ballard, his son, Scott Ballard, and his spouse, Betty Ballard.
Mr. Ballard was a long-time member of Saint Mark Methodist Church in Northport. His grandfather and his great-grandfather both were preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in northern Alabama and southern Tennessee. His father was the Sheriff of Etowah County.
Mr. Ballard graduated from the University of Alabama, and he was a long-time resident of Tuscaloosa and, later, Northport. Mr. Ballard was the principal of Vestavia Elementary School in Northport for 32 years, from 1967 through 1999. The thing he loved most about his work, he always said, was “the children.” Through his service as Principal of Vestavia Elementary School for more than 3 decades, he impacted many lives.
Mr. Ballard was a passionate collector and trader of antique guns and knives, and through this hobby, he made many long-time friends all over the country. Mr. Ballard loved old Western movies. He loved the recurring theme of the “good guys” defeating the “bad guys.” He had a deep sense of morality. His favorite movie was Shane.
On a more personal note, Mr. Ballard attended every single football game and practice in which his son (Glenn) participated. He never missed even a single practice.
A visitation will be held at St. Mark Church, located at 1421 McFarland N Blvd, Northport, AL 35476, on November 15, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The funeral service will follow at the same location from 10:30 am to 11:20 am. A committal service will take place at Memory Hill Gardens, 2200 Skyland Blvd East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm on the same day. Presiding Clergy: Bo Lloyd, Saint Mark Methodist Church
Serving as Pallbearers are Lynn Higginbotham, Philip Lee, Gary Cobb, Paul Bourgeois, Paul Hass, and Felix Rosbrough
In lieu of flowers - If you would like to make a donation, rather than buy flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following.
1. Saint Mark Methodist Church – the church where Roger Ballard was a long-time member. (Make check payable to “Saint Mark Church” or donate through their website -
https://www.saintmarknorthport.com/give )
2. Lux Debate Camp – a nonprofit organization directed by Glenn Ballard (Roger Ballard’s son), which trains Christian students, ages 12-18, in the skills of debate & speech, including logic, critical thinking, research, theology, government policy, and public speaking.
(Make checks payable to “Lux Debate Camp.”)
