Kirk Hildreth Ballard

Kirk Hildreth Ballard, age 55, beloved father, fiancé, son, brother and friend, was born August 22, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa to Tike and Carole (Hildreth) Ballard. Kirk grew up and received his education in Ankeny, graduating with the class of 1977. Following graduation, Kirk continued on to DMACC earning his Associate Degree. He made a career in outside auto part sales for both R.M. Distributing in Davenport and Charles Gabus Ford in Des Moines.

Kirk had an adventurous spirit and a passion for life. He made many trips to Colorado to go skiing and enjoyed teaching Sarah-Rose to snowboard. He also treasured his time spent with family in northern Minnesota at Lake Washburn on the family boat "Tike’s Toy", and was a skilled waterskier and snowmobiler. One of Kirk's biggest achievements was qualifying, competing and representing the United States at the 6 Day International Enduro Motorcycle race in Germany in 1989.

Kirk and Nancy took many enjoyable trips to wineries, listening to music and dancing. They spent many weekends seeking out treasured antiques and restoring antique fans and scales. Kirk and Nancy had vowed from their first date that they were going to live life and enjoy each other to the fullest and they certainly did.

Most of all, out of everything Kirk loved, his daughter, Sarah-Rose, she was his greatest joy and being her father was his proudest accomplishment.

Kirk H. Ballard's journey on earth ended after a courageous battle with brain cancer on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.

Kirk will be missed by his daughter, Sarah-Rose Ballard; his love and fiancé, Nancy Tutor and her son, Bobby; father, Tike Ballard; sisters, Julie (Bob) Shelquist and Diane (Keith) Petterson; close friend, Brian Miller; his nieces and nephews, Katy (Justin) Loutsch, Lindsay (Ken) Norland, Courtney (Kiel) Huston, Ryan (Tasha) Petterson, and Meredith (Reed) Weston; great-nieces and nephews, Kallie and Jack Loutsch, Riley and Cameron Norland, Harper and Quinn Huston, Brody and Jace Weston. Kirk is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Keith Hildreth, Susan (Merle) Johnson, Nancy Carr, Bonnie Ballard, and Gerald (Marie) Ballard; and many cousins, extended family members, close friends, and his beloved dog, Coco. He was preceded in death by his mother, Carole Ballard in February 2015.

A Memorial visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut St. in Ankeny. Kirk’s family will also be hosting a continued celebration of his life at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Briarwood Club, 3405 NE Trilein Drive, Ankeny, 50021.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the "Sarah-Rose Ballard-UTMA" Educational Fund, established by Kirk for his daughter, Sarah-Rose.

Kirk's family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Joon Uhm at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Shannon Hood in Ankeny and Mercy Hospice Johnston for the very kind, compassionate care they gave to him.

You can read about Kirk's journey on www.caringbridge.com, Kirk Ballard.