Kenneth "Gene" Ballard

Kenneth Eugene "Gene" Ballard, Jr. was born to Kenneth Eugene and Loretta Ethel (Geyer) Ballard on August 9, 1941 northwest of Walters, OK and departed this life at his home northeast of Walters, OK on March 31, 2013, at the age of 71 years,7 months and 22 days. Gene grew up west of Walters, graduating from Walters High School in 1959. He married Avanell Hooker on August 23, 1960, making their home mainly in rural Walters and eventually building their current home northeast of town in 1978. Gene began working in the oilfield as a roughneck at age 16. After high school he was employed at Cotton Electric for 5 years before going to work at Fort Sill in 1965. He worked many of his Civil Service years as a contract inspector, retiring in housing in 1992 after 28 years of service. Through the years he was also engaged in farming and ranching. Gene enjoyed attending the kids and grandkids activities, coaching little league, fishing, caring for his cattle and reading. During his retirement he also enjoyed several trips to Florida helping oversee landscaping contracts and fishing in the Atlantic Ocean. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Donald Joe Ballard. Survivors include his wife, Avanell, of the home; 3 children, Grant Ballard, Andrea Ballard, Grady Ballard and wife Ernestine all of Walters; 2 sisters, Mary Higgins and Sharon Ballard both of Walters; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Jo Ballard, Chuck and Rita Ballard all of Walters; 6 grandchildren, Chase Harris of Stillwater, OK, Cheyenne Ballard of Shawnee, OK, Tylar Creeden of New Jersey, Dalton Ballard of Walters, Dylan Ballard of Vero Beach, FL and Kenneth Ballard of Walters; other relatives and many friends.