Larry J. Ballard

Larry Joseph Ballard, age 71, of West Alexandria, OH., and formerly of Lewiston, Idaho, died Tues. Feb. 28, 2012.  Larry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Ann (Roosa), their children, Theodore of Vincennes, IN., Lt. Col., USAF, Christopher (Tracy), of Springfield, VA., Samuel of Springfield, and GMC,USN, Joel (Pamela) of St. Augustine, FL., 6 grandchildren, Sean, Harrison, William, Kathleen, Maryn and Nicholas, his siblings, Rev. Dr. Marjorie A.B. Thompson and James M. Bates and nieces and nephews.  Larry was preceded in death by his parents Harry J. and Mamie L. Ballard, siblings, Monalee B. Warvel, Malvena B. Mitchel and David M. Bates and his daughter, Kathleen Renee Ballard.  
A man of many talents, Larry was an excellent cook, baker and woodworker.  He had graduated from West Alexandria High School in 1958.  He served in the United States Navy from 1958-1966 as a commissaryman aboard the USS McClellan, USS Edisto (during Operation Deep Freeze Antarctica), the USCGE Eastwind and USS Mississinewa.  After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Larry worked as a police detective until 1970, owned his own painting and wallpaper business, "Ballard and Sons" and then went on to train and work as a funeral director and embalmer in Washington state and Idaho.  Larry earned Associate of Arts Degrees in both criminal justice and mortuary science.  He was a member of King Hiram F & AM #88 and the Kiwanis Club.
A graveside service will be at 10:00 A.M. Thurs. Mar. 8, 2012 at Fairview Cemetery, immediately followed by a memorial service at 11:00 A.M. and reception at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church Men's Ministry.