Fred Ballard
September 01, 2014
Fred Nathan Ballard, 72, of Ankeny, formerly of Johnston, passed away on September 1, 2014, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2014, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, with burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, September 4, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.
Fred was born October 13, 1941, to Donald L. and Margaret R. (Fredregill) Ballard. He was a graduate of East High School class of 1960. He married Linda L. Doubek in 1962, and they had four children together. Linda passed away in 1980. He married Shirley (Heires) Koester in 1997.
Fred was an Air Force Veteran, serving from 1960-1964 as a dental technician at Minot AFB in Minot, North Dakota. Fred drove a semi-truck for a living, working for Super Valu for 33 years before his retirement. He was an avid bowler, bowling a perfect 300 game in 1975, as well as many other “close calls.” He loved to collect farm tractors and work on them. Fred was a very knowledgeable mechanic, and there was nothing that he could not fix. He also loved watching old western movies on the Western Channel. Fred was first and foremost a family man his whole life, and a loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and uncle.
Fred is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Tracey (husband Dennis) Montavon of Ankeny, Gregory Ballard, Sr., of Polk City, James (fiancée Kerri) Ballard of Johnston, Freddie Ballard of Johnston, and step-children, Tim Koester and Tammy Koester, both of Des Moines. Also surviving are his 6 grandchildren, Gregory, Jr., Alex, Michael, Maci, Jadon, and Kayla; siblings, Dennis (Shirley) Ballard of Ankeny, Clifford Ballard of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Leonard (Sheryl) Ballard of Des Moines, Marjorie Burgess of Ankeny, Bettie (Ken) Danley of Des Moines, Phyllis (Mike) Hastie of Bondurant, Connie Ballard of Pleasant Hill, and Karen Ballard of Des Moines, along with many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda; fiancée, Sandra Armstrong; his parents; and brother, Jeffrey Ballard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Mercy Hospice in Johnston or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Aunt Lori Ammon
10/04/2014
Dear Tracey, Greg, Jim, Freddie & families, I'm so sorry for you're loss, you are all in my thoughts & prayers. I love & miss you all. I remember the first time I met Fred, he came to see Linda. Emmy & I spied on them when they went for a walk and kissed. Keep forever your fond memories.
William Fredregill
09/08/2014
Remembering the fun times we had as kids playing at the farm, golfing at Grandview, talking F150's. Fred will be missed mightily, thankful that his pain is over. Fred was always smiling and had something positive to contribute.
Patricia
09/08/2014
Please accept our deepest condolences. we mourn with your. A loved one lost can grieve the heart, and make us yearn for tomorrow, when Jehovah will keep the promise he made of no pain, no death, no sorrow.
Lindsey Wanderscheid
09/05/2014
Greg/Jim/Freddie -
So very sorry for the loss of your father. He had to have been such a great man to raise three amazing men like you guys! Love you all.
Jim and Tris Johnson
09/05/2014
Betty and Ken Danley and Family.
Our deepest condolences in hearing the news of the passing of your brother and family member.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lisa Miller
09/04/2014
Tracey,Dennis,and Alex,
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Trudy Scow
09/04/2014
You all have my deepest sympathy. I will miss my cousin very much. Our mother's were sister's and our father's were brothers...making us one big family...double cousins. I know they are watching us from above. Will miss you Fred. Love you all.
Jo Ann & Chuck Allen
09/04/2014
He always had a grin on his face and such a great attitude! Keeping your family in our thoughts & prayers.
Lori and Dave Greshowak
09/04/2014
Greg,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Sending heartfelt sympathy to you and all of your family in this time of sorrow. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Cindy and Mark Vail
09/04/2014
Tracey and family: Sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Sending heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Judi Wyner
09/04/2014
My deepest sympathy to you Shirley and your family. Will be praying for you and your family.
Tom & Wanda Hagen
09/04/2014
Leonard and Family, Wanda and I send our prayers and condolences at the passing of your brother. Tom Hagen
Melinda Reese
09/04/2014
Heartfelt prayers to all of you!
Don and Marie Sandschafer
09/03/2014
Keep close to your heart the wonderful memories of your dad and family.
Tara Keltner Hulse
09/03/2014
He was the father of the neighborhood. You went to him with tears in your eyes and left with a smile.