James O. Ballard

James O. Ballard was born in Sulphur, Oklahoma on January 21, 1923 to Ola Mae Tinsley Ballard and Otis Vestal Ballard. His family included his older sister, Louise, and a younger brother, Perry. He grew up working in his father's grocery business, and lettered in football and wrestling in high school. He earned his Eagle Scout designation when he was 17. After graduating from high school in 1941, he joined the Army Air Corps and served in China/Burma/India (CBI) and the Western Pacific during WWII. He earned many medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and a Distinguished Unit Citation Badge. After release from the Air Corps, Jim enrolled in college at the University of Oklahoma. In 1947, he married Mary Liddell in her hometown, Camden, Alabama. They lived in Norman, Oklahoma while Jim completed his studies at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Mary and Jim moved to Hamlin, Texas where Jim worked for Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Company, becoming Area Superintendent. There, they had 2 children, John and Martha. Texas Pacific transferred them to Abilene, Texas, where Jim became District Superintendent. From there, they moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma, then on to Oklahoma City, and to Breckenridge Texas. In 1977, they moved back to Abilene, where Jim served as District Drilling Manager for Sun Oil Company until he retired in 1986. He and Mary were devoted members of St. Paul United Methodist Church, participating in various activities as they had in their Methodist churches wherever they lived. He was very active in the Lions Club, where he served as President of the Elmwood West Lions Club. On patriotic holidays, he organized the Lions' flag program, raising funds for children. He received several awards of recognition, including designation as a Jack Wiech Fellow and a Melvin Jones Fellow. Jim enjoyed travel, and he and Mary traveled extensively, from London to Mexico City, San Francisco to Boston. He was an avid golfer, playing into his late 80s; he did achieve a hole in one in Breckenridge, Texas, a favorite story. He also enjoyed photography, fishing, furniture restoration and refinishing, and hunting. He was an exceptional gardener, assisting with the Abilene Garden Club and creating a beautiful yard with his wife, Mary. They both loved and nurtured anything that grew. Survivors include his wife, Mary L. Ballard, son John L. Ballard and wife Jennifer of Corpus Christi, TX and daughter Martha L. Ballard and husband Steve Matthews of Sarasota, FL. James O. (Jim) Ballard passed away on July 6, 2012. Visitation will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, July 8. The service will be at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 1:30 pm on Monday, July 9, with Rev. Robert P. Kelley officiating, followed by interment at Elmwood Memorial Park. A reception will follow in the Wesley Court Atrium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Wesley Court Methodist Retirement Community, 2617 Antilley Rd., Abilene, Texas 79606 to support resident services, or to a charity of the donor's choice.