I met Tom while working in San Antonio.  He was always trying to recruit me to join the VFW.  My condolences to his family.  

On behalf of the Disabled American Veterans here in San Antonio, we offer you and family and extended families our sincere condolences.
Tom was a very unique Veteran whose life mission was to serve others above self.
Tom worked with many Veterans and Military community members as long as I have known him.
A very sharp but very humble and noble individual loved and respected by the many hundreds if not thousands of Veterans and their Families that Tom served.
As you may know,
Tom had many many accomplishments to his name.
 Tom was a US Navy Veteran that served on the USS Ranger CVA – CA 61 during the Vietnam War.
Later Tom was the Helmsmen - Secretary and Treasurer -for the USS Ranger reunion Association Inc.
They proudly referred to themselves as Rangermen.
Tom held the responsibilities and leadership positions for SOME the following organizations: 
•	Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1533 in San Antonio
•	Commander for the Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 366 San Antonio
•	Commander for the Memorial Services Detachment (MSD) at Joint base Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery here in San Antonio.
•	Countless ceremonies, parades, public appearances - as long as my arm.
Tom and his staff of great MSD Volunteers helped to bury countless of Veterans as well as Homeless and Unaccompanied Veterans in Partnership with the Bexar County and the City of San Antonio.
Tom was not one to accept awards very easily but our committee nominated him to accept a prestigious NATIONAL award called the Chapel of the Four Chaplains. Tom and wife Sylvia and some of his family members were there when we presented Tom with the National Legion of Honor award.
That is the first time that I saw Tom beaming with pride reflecting on all of his accomplishments.
Tom’s impact is immeasurable and his contributions to/for our Veteran and Military communities will forever be better. 
God Bless and God Speed
JR Garza DAV Past Commander 210-722-4256 SATX

Tom was my backyard  neighbor and we had many discussions over the fence. If you get the analogy, Tom was the Wilson to my Tim the Tool Man. He did love his work in the Honor Guard for the families of veterans. I enjoyed many times hearing him talk about it with a smile on his face.

He also loved ribbing me about his Ohio State Buckeyes since I am a University of Michigan Wolverine fan. Always threatened to fly his Ohio State flag in the back yard.

We miss Tom and hope to see him again one day. Our deepest sympathy to his daughter Thea and his grandchildren, and many friends lives he touched as he did ours.

Tom Ballinger, also known to many of Thea's friends as "Daddy B", was a surrogate dad to many of us who did not have an active father in our lives.  He was always welcoming and warm.  He raised an amazing daughter who loved him unconditionally, which she learned from him.
I have so many wonderful memories growing up with Daddy B that I will cherish and am so thankful that I had him in my life. 

The South High School Alumni Association and its Board of Directors want to express our sympathy and send condolences at the death of your loved one. Our entire South High School family is diminished by his passing.



I will miss my Uncle Tom/Godfather. He always made it a point to call me on my birthday and holidays. I going to miss those calls when we would catch up on family and share life’s memories. I’m so thankful we were able to have one last call this month. Rest In Peace. Love you ❤️

Rest in Peace my friend. You ser ved your time and than some. Done your last roll call. God's Speed. 

My condolences to all of Tom's family.  I am a funeral director and whenever I was on a service at Fort Sam that Tom's MSD team was on, he always waved to me.   It was always a joy to see him. My husband and I will miss him dearly.  Lisa and Joe Martinez

The one thing we always had in common with my dad (his brother Fred) and Uncle Tom is competition. We were all very competitive and didn’t like to lose in anything. I’m glad I got to live, play and have these memories. You gave me something to strive for. U set the bar for me. 😎

In the beginning, when he was known as Tommy.

Proud Navy Man served on the USS Ranger during Vietnam War

Tom with his grandsons, Emery Vincent (now 9) and Waylon Thomas (now 12), his namesake.

Heartfelt condolences to Tom’s family. He was a valued associate while I was at La Quinta during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. We worked on many La Quintas over those years and as far as I remember never had a disagreement. He adopted a kitten from us and “Bandit” was his pride and joy for many years. His many accomplishments speak volumes about the man that he was. 

Rest in peace old friend.

Martin C.


OBITUARY

Thomas Gene Ballinger

November 27, 1945 – March 25, 2022

Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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