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JOHN G. JR. COL. USAF (RET.) Died peacefully on 18 April 2012. Colonel Ballard was born in Amarillo, TX on 9 March 1928. He attended Amarillo High School and Henry Clay High School in Lexington, KY. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1951. He distinguished himself there on the football field and in track. After West Point, he joined the United States Air Force and in 1952 married Ann Thatcher of Amarillo, TX. His Air Force career as a pilot took him to Japan, Nevada, Ohio, New York, California, and New Mexico. He received a Masters degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University in 1962. Two years later he was in Vietnam. From 1964-1965 he served as Commander of Detachment 1 of the Air Commando Squadron. A decorated veteran, his many awards include the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. When the Pentagon called, he reported for duty. While there, he earned another degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1972. Aerospace contractors sought him out and he helped meld the military with industry. Via Lockheed he made sure the USAF received top quality aircraft. Col. Ballard retired from the USAF in 1978. In New Mexico, he ventured into commercial real estate and also served as a consultant to Ernst and Young. He was a member of the Order of the Daedalions, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Sandia Kiwanis Club and the Juniper Hunt Club in Florida. He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed telling tall tales about Texas; his youth in Amarillo and visits to his grandparent's ranch near Fort Sumner, NM and summer properties in Colorado. He is survived by his daughter Amy of Washington, D.C.; his son John and daughter-in-law Caryn; his son William and his grandson Stanton of Albuquerque. His wife Ann died in January 2002. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at French - Wyoming Chapel. Col. Ballard will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with full military honors. Please visit our online guestbook for Col. Ballard at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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