Age 74, Lawton - Funeral services will be 10:00 am Saturday in the Sullivan Village Church of Christ with Rodger Schwenn, Minister, officiating. Major Ballard died Wednesday in a local hospital. Burial will be in the Walters Cemetery, Walters under the direction of the Becker Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 5-7 pm. He was born on February 4, 1935 in Walters, Oklahoma over the Fire Station to James A. and Gladys (Gilbreth) Ballard. He married Beth Isbell on June 25, 1976 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He graduated from Lawton High School with the class of 1953 and attended Oklahoma A&M and Cameron College. He joined the Army where he earned the Army Commendation Medal (2 Awards), Good Conduct Medal (2 Awards), Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, 2 Overseas Bars, Silver Star, Air Medal (2 Awards) Parachute Badge, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. He farmed and ranched South of Lawton and in Walters after his retirement. He and his wife owned many businesses together. He was known to have ice cream attacks with his grandsons. He was outspoken in his views, but loved to teach his grandchildren how to fish. He was a history buff , especially family history with a knack for telling stories. He was a member of the Sullivan Village Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife of the home; 2 sons, James Brent Ballard of Colombia, South America and Christopher Raymon Ballard of the home; 5 daughters and a daughter-in-law, Karol Ballard of Sierra Madre, California, Angel and Bob Lindsay of Lawton, Venius and Rick Matthys of Cache, Opal and Danny Anderson of Bartlesville, Amy Bethalena Ballard of the home and Vicki Ballard of Duncan; 12 grandchildren, James Evan Ballard, Brooke Ballard, Heaven Stubblefield, B.J. Lindsay, Johnathan Fogle, Sierra Fogle, Christina Merrill, Stephen Anderson, Amy Schlup, Amanda Morton, Spencer Hollaway and Elliott Hollaway; 7 great grandchildren; a sister, Ann and Jim Hodge of Moore, Oklahoma; a nephew; 2 nieces; cousins and many who felt like his children. His parents and a stepson, Ricky Hollaway preceded him in death. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Lu Jo Kismif, PO Box 2232, Lawton, OK 73502.