Fred Ballard

Obituary Fred Sylvester Ballard, 81, of Clifton passed away Friday March 30, 2012 at Sunset Hills Care Center in Safford, AZ. He was born March 28, 1931 in Mexia, Texas to Clyde Ballard and Lucille (Brown) Ballard. The middle son of five boys. He attended grade school in Datl, New Mexico, and high school in Duncan, Arizona. After graduation Fred, along with his good friend Ralph Price, took the opportunity to spread their wings on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. Their adventures took them through various states and they eventually settled for a time in California after finding work there. He met the love of his life, Jorean Mcdaniel, at Mauds, a local cafe just down the street from their home in Clifton. They married June 15, 1954 and settled in Clifton where they have lived for 57 years. Fred understood the value of hard work and displayed his dedication to this in the jobs he held. He worked for Thompsons garage operating a tow truck, as a construction worker, mechanic, and ran the Texico gas station in Clifton for 18 yrs. He retired from the Greenlee County Sheriffs Department in 1993. Fred also served as a volunteer for the Clifton Fire Department for 25 years. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Black River, Eagle creek, and Luna Lake were places he especially enjoyed. He loved spending summers in the cool mountain air at Alpine, and his cabin there displays a collection of treasures he would often find at yard sales. In later years Fred spent many hours hand crafting walking sticks that he gave as a token of his appreciation to friends. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and generous heart by close friends and family. Fred is survived by his wife Jorean (McDaniel) Ballard; his sons, Bob (Nelda) Ballard of Wickenburg and John (Cindy) Ballard of Globe; his siblings, L.C. Ballard of Las Cruses ,Leslie Ballard (Barbara) of Thatcher, Jim Ballard (Rose)of Thatcher and Jack Ballard (Wanda) of Ada Oklahoma ; grandchildren, Noelle (Corbin), Jenny (Steve), Ryan (Amy), Ashley (Rick), Robbie (Mireya), and Mackenzie Ballard; and 8 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday April 21, 2012 at 10:00 am in the New Life City Church. Those who would like to visit with Freds family are invited to do so at 9:00 am prior to the memorial service. New Life City Church is located at 3754 South / Highway 191 ( across from the fair grounds) Safford, AZ. The family wishes to extend its sincerest appreciation to Julia and David Alva for their kindness and loving care, as well as the staff of Sunset Hills Care Center.