Mr. George Alfred Ballard

George Ballard passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 27, 2014, after a year long battle with cancer. Retiring after serving 26 years as a Lieutenant with the Des Moines Fire Department, George and his wife, Janice, moved to Clayton where he partnered with his son, Dave, creating Ballard Construction RTP. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and Rusty Wallace fan. George and Janice, his wife of 63 years, enjoyed annual family vacations at Salter Path where he would spend hours on his boat fishing. He also enjoyed his trips back to Iowa hunting deer, turkey and visiting the ‘Red Roof Inn’. He will be missed by all, including his ‘baby’ Patty, his peek-a-poo dog. He was preceded in death by his wife; Janice Ballard; son, George ‘Buddy’ Ballard, Jr.; grandsons; Michael and Matthew Bucklin. Parents; Ray and Valeta Ford Ballard, brothers; Ray and Norman Ballard and a sister Jane Adair. He is survived by; daughter, Ann Bucklin (Dick) of Clayton; sons, Tom Ballard (Cindy) of Des Moines, IA; Dave Ballard (Peggy) of Raleigh; Bob Ballard (Wendy) of Benson; daughter-in-law, Kathy Ballard of Clayton, a sister; Norma Wehrend of Salem,VA and several nieces and nephews. Grandchildren; Ricky Bucklin (Julia) of Clayton; Danny ‘Buck’ Bucklin (Amy) of Wake Forest, Kristy Skinner (Justin) of Clayton; Jamie Ballard (Lisa) of Four Oaks, Bryan Ballard (Kelly) of Clayton, Jennifer Cooper (Ray) of Four Oaks, Thomas ‘TJ’ (Amy) of Windsor Heights, IA, Tina Ballard of Des Moines, IA, Erin Ballard of Atlantic Beach, FL, Megan McVey (Jared) of Charlotte. Great-grandchildren; Brittany, Brandon and Brett Bucklin all of Clayton, Taylor and Jake Bucklin of Wake Forest, Katelyn Ballard of Clayton, Austin Cooper of Four Oaks, Dalton, Payton and McKenna Ballard of Des Moines, IA. A visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 from 1-2 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, with the service following at 2:00, Pastor Bill Beyer will be officiating. Inurnment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank the staff of Waverly Oncology, especially Brittani Boehlke and Marcie Lorbacher, for all of the kindness, care and support they gave to our dad. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2920 NC Hwy. 42, Clayton, NC 27520. Online condolences may be made to the Ballard family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com. Arrangements by McLaurin Funeral Home.