James "Jim" Michael Ballard

Funeral services for James “Jim” Michael Ballard, 73 of Edgewood, TX, are scheduled for 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 19, 2022, at First Baptist Church Edgewood. Burial is scheduled for 9:30 AM, Thursday, March 31, 2022, at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. Services are under the direction of Heitt’s LyBrand Funeral Home.

 Jim passed away on Monday, March 14th, 2022, at his home after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

 Jim was born September 20, 1948, in Dallas, TX, to parents James Alfred Ballard and Martha Wynell Wishard Ballard. He was raised in Lancaster where he graduated from high school. Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in 1968 and proudly served his country. He married Jo Ellen Wood on March 9, 1973 at First Baptist Church in Dallas in the Slaughter Chapel. During his military career he and Jo Ellen were stationed in various places across the country and raised their three children. In 1990 he retired as Master Chief from the United States Navy after 22 years. Jim was called to serve the Lord in full time ministry and began his second career. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from Criswell College in Dallas and his master’s degree from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, IN. He and Jo Ellen would move to the Edgewood community in 1990 to make their permanent home. Jim served as Education Director, Children's Ministry Pastor, and Senior Adult Pastor for First Baptist Church in Edgewood from 1991 to 2008. He and Jo Ellen made many trips with the senior adult groups of First Baptist Church Edgewood, he loved every minute he spent with them. Jim also served with the Kauf-Van Baptist Association serving in the capacity of Church ministry associate from 2008-2016.

Jim will be remembered by family and friends for his never ending “dad jokes” and his love of puns. He always had a joke or a funny story ready to tell. He loved his family deeply and enjoyed every second that he got to spend with them. Jim shared Jesus every chance he got with anyone he encountered. He wanted everyone to experience a relationship with the Lord. He was so proud of his time he spent in the Navy and was highly respected by his peers and the men who served under him. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and he will be deeply missed.

 He is preceded in death by his parents James and Martha Ballard, nephew Erik James Burley and brother-in-law Berland Rinker.

Jim is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jo Ellen Ballard of Wills Point, TX; Jenny Weems and husband Gem of Wills Point, TX, Brent Ballard and wife Christine of Greenville, TX, Blake Ballard of Temple, TX; siblings Gary Ballard and wife Earline of Nevada, TX, Janet Tarno and husband Paul of Gun Barrell, TX, Sharon Rinker Dillard of El Paso, TX, and Susan Burley and husband Howard of Canton, TX; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Christopher, Ryan, Rachel, Matthew and Leora; great-grandchildren, Alizabeth, Arielle, and Ethen Jr.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Friday, March 18, 2022, at Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home in Wills Point.

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