Tom Ballard, 78, of Sterling died on Thursday, March 18, 2011. The memorial service will be at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday, March 22 @ 10:00am. Inurnment Riverside Cemetery.

Thomas Claude Ballard, son of Claude and Ruth Ballard, was born May 31, 1932 in Denver, Colorado. Tom moved to Sterling when he was in high school. After graduating from Sterling High School, he attended Northeastern Junior College. While there, he played football. He and Donna Townsend were married in 1952. They had three children: Gene, Terri and Shelly. Tom continued his love of sports by playing softball, boating, lifting weights, running, biking, hunting and fishing.

Over the years, Tom traveled the world. He visited Africa, Israel, South America, Japan, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska. He brought home many souvenirs and many stories to share of his adventures. He took thousands of pictures on his trips. Tom was an accomplished artist. The medium he loved to use was drawing.

As an entrepreneur, Tom owned Sterling Travel Agency, telephone answering service, Western Union, Rod and Gun sporting goods store, and Yellow Cab. His children worked many hours growing up and learning the business. Tom also started Pawnee Wagon Train Vacations with his lifelong friend, Gene Bridges. People enjoyed a bit of the Old West in modern times on the wagon train. His son, Gene now runs Sterling Travel Agency.

Tom volunteered with many organizations. He was a member of the Elks and Jaycees, and was the Logan County director of Red Cross. He taught first aid courses. Many week-ends he spent refereeing football and baseball.

Tom loved to hunt and fish. He passed that love on to his son and grandsons. His gun collection was a great pride to him. His love of the outdoors was also passed on to his children and grandchildren. As Tom could no longer hunt, he spent his time in his garden and yard.

Tom also loved animals. He was in junior high when he got his first horse, Brownie. Over the years, Tom raised Labradors. His son, granddaughters and grandson now also have labs.

In 1986, Tom contracted Guillain-barre syndrome. In spite of the constant pain, he remained active.

As much as he loved sports, his passion was his family. Time spent with his family was most treasured. He is survived by his son Gene and wife Jaylene Ballard of Sterling, daughter Terri and husband Don Opeka of Broomfield, daughter Shelly and husband Doug Stumpf of Sterling, sister Dorothy Volk of Turlock, California, grandchildren Tiffany and husband Kevin, Teesha and husband David, TJ and wife Timmarie, Ryan, two great grandsons Caden and Caleb, six step-grandchildren, and six step-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Claude Ballard and Ruth Ballard, step-mother Marian Ballard, brother Lynn Ballard, step-brothers Larry and Jerry Wisdom, step-sisters Alice Sazegar and Bonnie Killian, and brother-in-law Hank Volk.

He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Memorials may be made to the Thomas Ballard Memorial.