"Be with us Lord, while we're awake... Asleep we rest in His peace."
A native and lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, George Balhoff died at the age of 65 on Monday, February 6, 2023, at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans from complications arising after receiving a kidney transplant in September 2022. He was born December 31, 1957, as the eighth of eleven children of John Thomas Balhoff and Catherine McClear Balhoff. George was a 1976 graduate of St. Joseph Cathedral Prep Catholic seminary in Baton Rouge and received a BS in Accounting from Louisiana State University (BR) in 1980.
He joined Postlethwaite & Netterville (P&N) accounting firm in 1980 and, as a CPA and Director, helped grow the firm over a forty-year career, including its relationship with the Louisiana Department of Health. He had a passion for innovative technology and focused on integrating computer and technological platforms internally and with clients.
In his professional career, George received many awards, including the Distinguished Public Service Award with LCPA in 2006. He was active on several community boards, including the Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Heritage Ranch, Inc., and the Louisiana Prison Chapel Foundation.
George married Sharon Anne Durham on June 6, 1981, and they raised four children, Brian, Brent, Megan, and Timothy, actively participating at St. George Church and School and at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. George served for many years as a board member on the St. George Parish and School Finance committees.
In 1994 at age 36, George was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and subsequently received a bone marrow transplant from his brother, Bob. He had a series of health issues over the years and relied on his faith and sense of humor to encourage family and friends throughout. These health issues ultimately led to him receiving a kidney transplant from his brother, Dick, in the fall of 2022. George considered himself truly blessed to have a group of strong, close-knit siblings who were willing to give these gifts of life in his health journey. Apart from the donors, the family would also like to thank each of George’s siblings for their support throughout his journey, from hospital stays to offering to be donor matches.
George was remarkably generous and always willing to volunteer time and energy. His greatest enjoyment was being with his family at their camp on False River. His faith and his family were the two most important things in his life. George’s quick wit stayed with him until his last moments.
George is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon, and their four children and spouses, Brian Patrick and Megan (Bello) Balhoff, Dr. Brent Robert Balhoff, Megan Marie Balhoff Mensi and Chris Mensi, and Timothy George Balhoff, all of Baton Rouge. Additionally, he is survived by granddaughters Anna Claire and Julia Catherine Balhoff, and Amelia Marie and Eleanor Grace Mensi.
He is also survived by his eight brothers and two sisters and spouses: Michael (Frances) and Tom (Kathy) of Baton Rouge, John (Judy) of Austin, TX, Bob (Helen) of Houston, TX, Don (Beverly) and Bill (Sandra) of Baton Rouge, Dick (Andrea) of Huntsville, TX, Margaret Balhoff of Louisville, CO, Kathleen Brandon (Win) of Littleton, CO, and Dan Balhoff (Kathy) of Baton Rouge. George is also survived and beloved by his thirty-nine nieces and nephews.
George is preceded in death by his parents and Sharon's parents, Robert Levi and Gertrude Talbot Durham of Baton Rouge.
Visitation is Thursday, February 9th, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (recitation of the rosary will be at 6 pm), and Friday, February 10th, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, from 1:00 p.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m., celebrated by the Rev. Cleo Milano. Burial is at St. George Mausoleum.
Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806, or to the charity of your choice in the name of George Balhoff.
