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Submitted: 11/28/15 • Approved: 1/30/18 • Last Updated: 3/26/18 • R95245-G0-S3
Texas
PRIVATE Company D 132 Machine Gun Battalion
Birth: Aug. 9, 1892
Ellis County
Texas
Death: Dec. 14, 1963
Wichita Falls
Wichita County
Texas
Jess Van Ballard, a long time Electra resident, died Saturday afternoon in Wichita Falls General Hospital after suffering injuries in a two car accident at Iowa Park Road and Farm Road 369 about 3:30 p.m.
His wife, Velma, 61 was admitted to Wichita General Hospital and is reported to be in satisfactory condition.
The driver of the other automobile involved in the accident was Garry Neal Chafin, 16 of Wichita Falls. Both he and a passenger, Kennon Duncan of Wichita Falls, were treated and released from the hospital.
Funeral services for Ballard were held 2 p.m. Monday from the First Methodist Church in Electra. The Rev. Don Youngblood, pastor officiated. Burial was in Electra Memorial Park under the direction of James B. Totten and Son Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Wiley Bloxom, Billy Ray Wright, Walter Stilly, L.G. McLaughlin, Al Kemple, and C.F. McSpadden.
He was born August 8, 1892, in Ellis County, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Ballard. He moved to Electra in 1913 where he was engaged in the oil business for a number of years.
Ballard served in France with the 36th Infantry Division and was discharged from active duty in June, 1919. He and his wife then operated a grocery business in Electra for 20 years before going into the laundry business. The couple retired four years ago.
He was a charter member of the American Legion Post in Electra and had served as post commander. He was also a charter member of the VFW of which he was still a member and a charter member of the Veterans of World War I and the first commander of it and remained an active member.
Ballard was a member of First Methodist Church and was past president of the Men's Bible class. He resided in Electra at 211 West Glisson.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Mrs. Stanley Kirk of Wichita Falls; a son, Van Ballard of Houston; a brother, Sam Ballard of Wichita Falls; and five grandchildren, Karol Kirk, Cain Kirk and Van Ballard Kirk, all of Wichita Falls, and Lynn Ballard and Lee Van Ballard of Houston._
Electra Star-News
December 19, 1963
Contributed on 11/28/15 by gacp
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Record #: 95245