John Ballard, known to the family as “Sonny”, passed from this life into the presence of the Lord, October 16, 2018, just nine days after his 81st birthday. Born in Flippin, Arkansas, October 7, 1937 to John and Amma Ballard, he was third among five siblings.
The Ballard family moved to the Yakima Valley in the 1940’s and lived in both the Upper and Lower Valleys. John attended schools in Gromore and Wapato, then worked in the orchards with his family. He spent many years working in the logging industry, falling trees and driving logging trucks. He also was a long haul trucker, working as an independent contractor, then finished his working career as an employee of the City of Yakima.
The great love of John’s life, however, was breeding, raising and racing pigeons. And he was good at it! Winning many awards and races over his career and finding many friends among those who shared his love of the sport. As he became older, he found this to be the most difficult activity to give up and these friends the the most painful to lose.
Church was very important to John and he attended faithfully, until his health would no longer allow it. He believed in Jesus Christ as Lord of his life and supported the local church with his presence and finances.
John was father to six children, Daniel, Pamela, Lori, Philip, Cheri and Patricia, who provided him with twelve grandchildren, Caleb, Levi, Tiffany, Hannah, Emily, Benjamin, Johnny, Brenda, Maurico, Manny, Christine and Danielle and in turn several great grandchildren who loved him and called him, “Papa”.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Rosa, the mother of his children and by Judy, just last year, to whom he was married thirty seven years. Also, by his mother, father, and two sisters, Peggy Towel and Sally Cook.
He is survived by the children and grandchildren mentioned above as well as a brother, Ben Ballard and sister, Sharon Parsley
The service will be October 28, 2018, 2:00 P.M., at Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Avenue, Yakima Washington. Following the service, refreshments will be provided.
