COLUMBUS
Mr. Horace Garvin Ballard Jr., 72, entered this life on December 20, 1945 in Glasgow, Kentucky.
He died unexpectedly at Columbus Regional Hospital in the emergency department at 1:15 p.m. Saturday, August 4, 2018, and is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He was a loving son of Horace and Aline Oller Ballard Sr.
He lived in Columbus, Indiana for most of his life and graduated from Columbus High School in 1964.
On September 23, 1966 he married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, L. Sue Blair Ballard. They were married for over 51 year and were blessed with three wonderful children, Carnel Jean (Jim) McFarland of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Jonathan Garvin (Christy) Ballard of Greenwood and Daniel Vince (Shelly) Ballard of Columbus; grandchildren, Anna Marie McFarland, Michael James McFarland, Nathan John McFarland, Stephen Daniel McFarland, Rachel Carnel McFarland and Mallory Rose Ballard; step-grandchildren, June Whitla, Andy Barker, Elizabeth Drake, Eric Drake and Abby Drake. He is also survived by his sisters, Vicki (Dennis) Denney of Yorktown, Patricia (Sam) Dooley of Columbus, brother, Richard Ballard of Franklin; and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law who loved him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Robert Ballard and Rondal Ballard.
He was a very hard worker, doing more in one lifetime than most could do in two.
Horace Jr. worked for Sieco/Strand Engineering Company in Columbus for over 37 years and retired from there in 2010.
He served in the Indiana National Guard from 1966 to 1971.
He attended Community Church of Columbus for over 20 years.
He enjoyed motorcycling most of his life, and was an avid runner for many years. Later he enjoyed archery and making his own bows.
He was talented in the musical field: he had a wonderful voice and played the piano, guitar, harmonica and concertina.
He liked listening to gospel and bluegrass music and watching old cowboy movies. But most of all, he enjoyed his family who always came first. He was a great storyteller and always had a story or joke to keep everyone laughing.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with Virgil Clotfelter and Homer Whited officiating.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to the time of service.
Following the service cremation is planned. A graveside inurnment service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Garland Brook Mausoleum Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Ballard family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
