In Memory

Rayford Allen Ballard

Rayford Allen Ballard

Born: July 6, 1946, Smith County, TX; Died: Nov. 8, 2012, Oklahoma City, age 66

JTHS Activities:  Senior Cabinet, Senior Assembly Committee 

Son of William Woodrow Ballard & Gladys Maurine McLauchlin (1913-2003); brother of James Larry Ballard of Tampa, FL

owner, Ballard & Wolfe Co., sales brokerage firm within the dairy & food industries, Grand Prairie, TX

survived by wife Gini, five children & 13 grandchildren, all of Oklahoma

 

the following is from his wife, Gini:

"RAY TRAVELED ALL OVER THE WORLD, MAINLY IN THE MIDEAST.  HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY. IN 1977 HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN TASK FORCE UNDER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN'S ADMINISTRATION.
 
"RAY & I MET ONLINE MAY OF 2005.  HE DROVE TO OKC FROM DALLAS CHRISTMAS EVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL ENGAGEMENT RING, OUR FIRST FACE TO FACE MEETING.  WE MARRIED AUGUST 2, 2008.  HE HAD A HEART ATTACK & SEVEN STROKES IN 2007 & WAS DETERMINED TO WALK AGAIN.  RAY WAS ALWAYS UPBEAT, POSITIVE.  HE WAS A VERY COMPASSIONATE & SPIRITUAL MAN WHO OFTEN PRAYED WITH DIALYSIS PATIENTS AT THE CENTER WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS TREATMENTS THREE DAYS WEEKLY.  HE NEVER COMPLAINED BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE WELL FOR US.  RAY FREELY GAVE COMPLIMENTS TO STRANGERS, HELD DOORS....
 
"ANYTHING TO DRAW OUT A SMILE OR TO MAKE ONE'S DAY A LITTLE BRIGHTER.  RAY WAS MY HERO.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL WHO HAVE WRITTEN TO TELL ME HOW YOU KNEW HIM.  I FEEL A PART OF YOU & I THANK YOU FROM MY HEART."
 
--  GINI BALLARD
 

 







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