James Otis Ballard (1923 - 2012)

Born 21 Jan 1923 in Sulphur, Murray, Oklahoma, United States

Husband of Mary (Liddell) Ballard — married 25 Jul 1947 in Selma, Dallas, Alabama, USA

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Biography

Lieutenant James Ballard served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started: 1942
Unit(s): 770th Bomber Squadron, 462nd Bomber Group (Very Heavy)
Service ended: 1945

Air Medal

Distinguished Flying Cross

James Otis Ballard was the son of Vestel Ballard and Ola Tinsley. James O. Ballard was born in Sulphur, Oklahoma on January 21, 1923. His family included his older sister, Louise, and a younger brother, Perry. He grew up working in his father's grocery business, and lettered in football and wrestling in high school. He earned his Eagle Scout designation when he was 17.

After graduating from high school in 1941, he joined the Army Air Corps and served in China/Burma/India (CBI) and the Western Pacific during WWII. He earned many medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and a Distinguished Unit Citation Badge. After release from the Air Corps, Jim enrolled in college at the University of Oklahoma.

In 1947, he married Mary Liddell in her hometown, Camden, Alabama. They lived in Norman, Oklahoma while Jim completed his studies at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Mary and Jim moved to Hamlin, Texas where Jim worked for Texas Pacific Coal & Oil Company, becoming Area Superintendent. There, they had 2 children, John and Martha.

Texas Pacific transferred them to Abilene, Texas, where Jim became District Superintendent. From there, they moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma, then on to Oklahoma City, and to Breckenridge Texas. In 1977, they moved back to Abilene, where Jim served as District Drilling Manager for Sun Oil Company until he retired in 1986. He and Mary were devoted members of St. Paul United Methodist Church, participating in various activities as they had in their Methodist churches wherever they lived.

He was very active in the Lions Club, where he served as President of the Elmwood West Lions Club. On patriotic holidays, he organized the Lions' flag program, raising funds for children. He received several awards of recognition, including designation as a Jack Wiech Fellow and a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Jim enjoyed travel, and he and Mary traveled extensively, from London to Mexico City, San Francisco to Boston. He was an avid golfer, playing into his late 80s; he did achieve a hole in one in Breckenridge, Texas, a favorite story. He also enjoyed photography, fishing, furniture restoration and refinishing, and hunting. He was an exceptional gardener, assisting with the Abilene Garden Club and creating a beautiful yard with his wife, Mary. They both loved and nurtured anything that grew.

James O. (Jim) Ballard passed away on July 6, 2012.

Sources

• "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2D3-Y8XV : 19 February 2021), James O Ballard and Mary Liddell, 25 Jul 1947; citing Selma, Dallas, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama...

• Find A Grave: Memorial #93208480 memorial page for James O. Ballard (21 Jan 1923–6 Jul 2012), Find a Grave Memorial ID 93208480, citing Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, USA ; Maintained by Kenneth D. Bogard (contributor 46562702) .