JIMMIE R. BALLARD
SEPTEMBER 21, 1933 - OCTOBER 29, 2020
After completing 87 plus years of earthly service, Reverend Jimmie Ray Ballard was welcomed to his Heavenly home by our Savior, Thursday morning, October 29, 2020. He was home with his loving wife, Jean, of 67-plus years by his side, when angels ushered him into Jesus' presence. Pastor was called many names during his lifetime of ministry such as Brother Ballard, Pastor Jim, Preacher, and the list goes on; however, no name was sweeter to him than being called husband, dad, grandpa, or Uncle Ray by his beloved family.
Born September 21, 1933, in Okmulgee, OK, to Virgil and Mary Ballard, he was raised with his oldest sister, Pauline and younger sisters, Clara and Virgie. He attended Okmulgee Schools and excelled at football in high school as a lightweight lineman. His tenacity and toughness was renowned on the field and earned him all-conference honors.
After graduating he was introduced to his future wife, Jean Swinford, who resided in Hominy, OK. Ray enlisted in the Air Force and began serving his country June 1953 at Lakeland AFB in San Antonio. Upon completing basic training, he and Jean were married in Biloxi, MS, September 7, 1953. Ray was stationed at Kessler AFB Biloxi then transferred to March AFB Riverside, CA, where he and Jean had their first child, Jimmie Ray II (Rusty), in September 1954. He then was assigned to Misawa AFB Japan where he served as communications specialist until he returned to the states and honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant from Stead AFB, Reno, NV, June 1957.
Ray and Jean moved to Pasadena, TX, where he began employment at Sheffield Steel. Their family grew while there, when second son, Scott was born October 1957 then youngest son, Brad arrived July 1960.
Ray gave his heart to Jesus soon after Scott was born and felt called to ministry in the early 1960's. He and Jean followed the call of God and moved the family to Springfield, MO, in 1963 where Ray began Bible School. After graduating from Evangel College, Pastor Ballard began his first ministry in 1966 at First Assembly of God in Chamois, MO. Over the next 34 years he was elected by congregations to pastor at June Rose Assembly of God in Sapulpa, OK; First Assembly in Dixon, MO; First Assembly in Nampa, ID; and First Assembly of God in Chandler, AZ. Pastor lead successful building programs while at June Rose Assembly and Chandler First Assembly. He retired in 2000 when he and Jean moved to Wagoner, OK; however, retirement was short lived as he was called to serve as administrative pastor at Wagoner First Assembly for the next few years. He also was called to serve for several months as interim pastor at First Assembly of God in Bristow, OK. Reverend Ballard was licensed as a minister by the Assemblies of God for 50 years and was recognized in 2019 for his distinguished service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Mary Ballard and his sister, Clara Hudspeth.
Ray is survived by his wife, Jean of Wagoner; son, Rusty (Jim) and wife, Judy of Depew, OK; son, Scott and wife, Phyllis of Dixon, MO; son, Brad of Bethany, OK; sisters, Pauline Lawhead of Muskogee, OK and Virgie Formby of Bartlesville, OK; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service is Wednesday morning at Wagoner First Assembly of God and interment will be at Powell Cemetery in Hominy, OK.
Shipman Funeral Home of Wagoner is handling final care.
Published by Tulsa World from Nov. 3 to Nov. 4, 2020.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1933 - OCTOBER 29, 2020
After completing 87 plus years of earthly service, Reverend Jimmie Ray Ballard was welcomed to his Heavenly home by our Savior, Thursday morning, October 29, 2020. He was home with his loving wife, Jean, of 67-plus years by his side, when angels ushered him into Jesus' presence. Pastor was called many names during his lifetime of ministry such as Brother Ballard, Pastor Jim, Preacher, and the list goes on; however, no name was sweeter to him than being called husband, dad, grandpa, or Uncle Ray by his beloved family.
Born September 21, 1933, in Okmulgee, OK, to Virgil and Mary Ballard, he was raised with his oldest sister, Pauline and younger sisters, Clara and Virgie. He attended Okmulgee Schools and excelled at football in high school as a lightweight lineman. His tenacity and toughness was renowned on the field and earned him all-conference honors.
After graduating he was introduced to his future wife, Jean Swinford, who resided in Hominy, OK. Ray enlisted in the Air Force and began serving his country June 1953 at Lakeland AFB in San Antonio. Upon completing basic training, he and Jean were married in Biloxi, MS, September 7, 1953. Ray was stationed at Kessler AFB Biloxi then transferred to March AFB Riverside, CA, where he and Jean had their first child, Jimmie Ray II (Rusty), in September 1954. He then was assigned to Misawa AFB Japan where he served as communications specialist until he returned to the states and honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant from Stead AFB, Reno, NV, June 1957.
Ray and Jean moved to Pasadena, TX, where he began employment at Sheffield Steel. Their family grew while there, when second son, Scott was born October 1957 then youngest son, Brad arrived July 1960.
Ray gave his heart to Jesus soon after Scott was born and felt called to ministry in the early 1960's. He and Jean followed the call of God and moved the family to Springfield, MO, in 1963 where Ray began Bible School. After graduating from Evangel College, Pastor Ballard began his first ministry in 1966 at First Assembly of God in Chamois, MO. Over the next 34 years he was elected by congregations to pastor at June Rose Assembly of God in Sapulpa, OK; First Assembly in Dixon, MO; First Assembly in Nampa, ID; and First Assembly of God in Chandler, AZ. Pastor lead successful building programs while at June Rose Assembly and Chandler First Assembly. He retired in 2000 when he and Jean moved to Wagoner, OK; however, retirement was short lived as he was called to serve as administrative pastor at Wagoner First Assembly for the next few years. He also was called to serve for several months as interim pastor at First Assembly of God in Bristow, OK. Reverend Ballard was licensed as a minister by the Assemblies of God for 50 years and was recognized in 2019 for his distinguished service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Mary Ballard and his sister, Clara Hudspeth.
Ray is survived by his wife, Jean of Wagoner; son, Rusty (Jim) and wife, Judy of Depew, OK; son, Scott and wife, Phyllis of Dixon, MO; son, Brad of Bethany, OK; sisters, Pauline Lawhead of Muskogee, OK and Virgie Formby of Bartlesville, OK; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service is Wednesday morning at Wagoner First Assembly of God and interment will be at Powell Cemetery in Hominy, OK.
Shipman Funeral Home of Wagoner is handling final care.
Published by Tulsa World from Nov. 3 to Nov. 4, 2020.
JIMMIE R. BALLARD
SEPTEMBER 21, 1933 - OCTOBER 29, 2020
After completing 87 plus years of earthly service, Reverend Jimmie Ray Ballard was welcomed to his Heavenly home by our Savior, Thursday morning, October 29, 2020. He was home with his loving wife, Jean, of 67-plus years by his side, when angels ushered him into Jesus' presence. Pastor was called many names during his lifetime of ministry such as Brother Ballard, Pastor Jim, Preacher, and the list goes on; however, no name was sweeter to him than being called husband, dad, grandpa, or Uncle Ray by his beloved family.
Born September 21, 1933, in Okmulgee, OK, to Virgil and Mary Ballard, he was raised with his oldest sister, Pauline and younger sisters, Clara and Virgie. He attended Okmulgee Schools and excelled at football in high school as a lightweight lineman. His tenacity and toughness was renowned on the field and earned him all-conference honors.
After graduating he was introduced to his future wife, Jean Swinford, who resided in Hominy, OK. Ray enlisted in the Air Force and began serving his country June 1953 at Lakeland AFB in San Antonio. Upon completing basic training, he and Jean were married in Biloxi, MS, September 7, 1953. Ray was stationed at Kessler AFB Biloxi then transferred to March AFB Riverside, CA, where he and Jean had their first child, Jimmie Ray II (Rusty), in September 1954. He then was assigned to Misawa AFB Japan where he served as communications specialist until he returned to the states and honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant from Stead AFB, Reno, NV, June 1957.
Ray and Jean moved to Pasadena, TX, where he began employment at Sheffield Steel. Their family grew while there, when second son, Scott was born October 1957 then youngest son, Brad arrived July 1960.
Ray gave his heart to Jesus soon after Scott was born and felt called to ministry in the early 1960's. He and Jean followed the call of God and moved the family to Springfield, MO, in 1963 where Ray began Bible School. After graduating from Evangel College, Pastor Ballard began his first ministry in 1966 at First Assembly of God in Chamois, MO. Over the next 34 years he was elected by congregations to pastor at June Rose Assembly of God in Sapulpa, OK; First Assembly in Dixon, MO; First Assembly in Nampa, ID; and First Assembly of God in Chandler, AZ. Pastor lead successful building programs while at June Rose Assembly and Chandler First Assembly. He retired in 2000 when he and Jean moved to Wagoner, OK; however, retirement was short lived as he was called to serve as administrative pastor at Wagoner First Assembly for the next few years. He also was called to serve for several months as interim pastor at First Assembly of God in Bristow, OK. Reverend Ballard was licensed as a minister by the Assemblies of God for 50 years and was recognized in 2019 for his distinguished service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Mary Ballard and his sister, Clara Hudspeth.
Ray is survived by his wife, Jean of Wagoner; son, Rusty (Jim) and wife, Judy of Depew, OK; son, Scott and wife, Phyllis of Dixon, MO; son, Brad of Bethany, OK; sisters, Pauline Lawhead of Muskogee, OK and Virgie Formby of Bartlesville, OK; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service is Wednesday morning at Wagoner First Assembly of God and interment will be at Powell Cemetery in Hominy, OK.
Shipman Funeral Home of Wagoner is handling final care.
Published by Tulsa World from Nov. 3 to Nov. 4, 2020.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1933 - OCTOBER 29, 2020
After completing 87 plus years of earthly service, Reverend Jimmie Ray Ballard was welcomed to his Heavenly home by our Savior, Thursday morning, October 29, 2020. He was home with his loving wife, Jean, of 67-plus years by his side, when angels ushered him into Jesus' presence. Pastor was called many names during his lifetime of ministry such as Brother Ballard, Pastor Jim, Preacher, and the list goes on; however, no name was sweeter to him than being called husband, dad, grandpa, or Uncle Ray by his beloved family.
Born September 21, 1933, in Okmulgee, OK, to Virgil and Mary Ballard, he was raised with his oldest sister, Pauline and younger sisters, Clara and Virgie. He attended Okmulgee Schools and excelled at football in high school as a lightweight lineman. His tenacity and toughness was renowned on the field and earned him all-conference honors.
After graduating he was introduced to his future wife, Jean Swinford, who resided in Hominy, OK. Ray enlisted in the Air Force and began serving his country June 1953 at Lakeland AFB in San Antonio. Upon completing basic training, he and Jean were married in Biloxi, MS, September 7, 1953. Ray was stationed at Kessler AFB Biloxi then transferred to March AFB Riverside, CA, where he and Jean had their first child, Jimmie Ray II (Rusty), in September 1954. He then was assigned to Misawa AFB Japan where he served as communications specialist until he returned to the states and honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant from Stead AFB, Reno, NV, June 1957.
Ray and Jean moved to Pasadena, TX, where he began employment at Sheffield Steel. Their family grew while there, when second son, Scott was born October 1957 then youngest son, Brad arrived July 1960.
Ray gave his heart to Jesus soon after Scott was born and felt called to ministry in the early 1960's. He and Jean followed the call of God and moved the family to Springfield, MO, in 1963 where Ray began Bible School. After graduating from Evangel College, Pastor Ballard began his first ministry in 1966 at First Assembly of God in Chamois, MO. Over the next 34 years he was elected by congregations to pastor at June Rose Assembly of God in Sapulpa, OK; First Assembly in Dixon, MO; First Assembly in Nampa, ID; and First Assembly of God in Chandler, AZ. Pastor lead successful building programs while at June Rose Assembly and Chandler First Assembly. He retired in 2000 when he and Jean moved to Wagoner, OK; however, retirement was short lived as he was called to serve as administrative pastor at Wagoner First Assembly for the next few years. He also was called to serve for several months as interim pastor at First Assembly of God in Bristow, OK. Reverend Ballard was licensed as a minister by the Assemblies of God for 50 years and was recognized in 2019 for his distinguished service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Mary Ballard and his sister, Clara Hudspeth.
Ray is survived by his wife, Jean of Wagoner; son, Rusty (Jim) and wife, Judy of Depew, OK; son, Scott and wife, Phyllis of Dixon, MO; son, Brad of Bethany, OK; sisters, Pauline Lawhead of Muskogee, OK and Virgie Formby of Bartlesville, OK; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service is Wednesday morning at Wagoner First Assembly of God and interment will be at Powell Cemetery in Hominy, OK.
Shipman Funeral Home of Wagoner is handling final care.
Published by Tulsa World from Nov. 3 to Nov. 4, 2020.
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