Robert L. Ballard, 87, of Blossom, passed away Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at his home while surrounded by loved ones.
Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 th at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Bro. Nolan Butler and Bro. David Ballard officiating. Burial will be made in Shady Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 1 – 2 p.m.
Mr. Ballard, the son of Roland W. Ballard and Cleda Lois Keener Ballard, was born March 28, 1938, in Clardy, TX. He graduated from East Lamar High School, Paris Junior College, and received his Masters Degree in agriculture, math, and administration from Sam Houston State University. He proudly served his country in the United States Army National Guard being honorably discharged.
Robert taught agriculture at Westwood High School in Palestine. Later he taught at the State School for Boys in Gatesville where he was principal of the Mt. View Unit. He then moved back to Lamar County and joined the staff of the Delmar ISD where he taught junior high math, high school math, was a junior high girls basketball coach, a bus driver, and became high school principal. Robert then taught junior high math at Blossom for one year. Robert then returned to Delmar where he was high school principal. When Delmar and West Lamar consolidated and became Chisum he joined the faculty and became high school principal, elementary principal, and then assistant superintendent over maintenance and transportation. It was during this time that he and a group of four students built the Chisum Mustang statue that still stands in front of the school. In 1994, he retired following a career in education that spanned 31 years. He had been a member of the College Church of Christ where he served as an elder for 20 years. At the time of his passing, he and his wife, Sis, had been active in the Pattonville Church of Christ for ten years.
While living in Gatesville, he was a member of the Lions Club and coached little league baseball. Robert was a member of the Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers and School Employees Associaton.
He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and planting and grafting pecan trees.
Survivors include his wife, Loyce “Sis” Ballard, whom he married on Nov, 25, 1960, building 65 years of family and memories. Four children, Leann Mitchell and husband Keith, Randy Ballard and wife Roxanne, David Ballard and wife Nancy, and Danny Ballard and Emilio Uribe, grandchildren, which were the light of his life, Deanna Bridges and husband Branson, Kim Suddeath and husband Eric, Kelli Gwaltney and husband Trey, Rance Ballard, Chance Ballard and wife Alexa, Chad Ballard, Jenni Kay Long and husband Zach, and Joey Ballard and wife Brooklyn, great grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, Eli, and Rebecca Suddeath, Emily and Ben Bridges, Hudson, Haisley, and Harper Gwaltney, Greta, Samuel, and Sibylle Long, and Tillie and Lorelei Ballard, two brothers, Max Ballard and wife Carolyn and Gary Ballard and wife Gwen, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Casket bearers will be: Joey Ballard, Rance Ballard, Chance Ballard, Chad Ballard, Danny Ballard, and Randy Ballard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Pattonville Church of Christ, P. O. Box 5, Pattonville, TX 75468, for the benefit of Cameroon and Chad African Missions.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
