Retired from the U.S. Army with 20 years of service and a veteran of the Korean War, he died in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. He was 64 and a native of Muscatine, Iowa. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East chapel, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting resumes on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Bill Umstetter. Burial with military honors at Port Hudson National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Rosita Ballenger; two sons, James Ballenger IV, U.S. Army, and Joshua Ballenger; brother, John Ballenger; his spiritual mother, the Rev. Mildred Mossey; two devoted friends, Lloyd Mossey and Dennis Taylor; two grandsons and many other extended family members and friends who loved him very much. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Hong Im Ballenger; and son, Gregory Ballenger.
