Larry Ballard
d. February 7, 2014
On February 7, 2014, at the age of 79, Larry Afton Ballard concluded his mission on earth and was reunited with family and friends that have gone before.
Larry was born March 13, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He became the son of two wonderful parents, Afton and Annie Worthen Ballard of Rockville, Utah. Two years later he was joined by a sister, Karen.
Larry had a wonderful life growing up in Rockville where he attended elementary school before graduating from Hurricane High School in 1952. His high school years consisted of playing basketball, baseball, and being involved in class government. He had many friends and lived life to the fullest.
On August 13, 1953, Larry married Nellie Joy Hardy in Springdale, Utah. They were blessed to have Larry's father perform the ceremony.
Larry and Nellie lived in Salt Lake City the first nine years of their married life, while Larry worked as a brick mason. Due to his father's health he moved his family to Rockville to help with the family ranch. Larry's heart was in ranching and the cowboy life, but had to depend on brick masonry, which he became a master craftsman at, to support his family. He retired from masonry in 1998, and went back to his love of ranching. When Larry was six years old he was part of the last open roundup from Pipe Springs to Littlefield.
Survivors include his wife Nellie Joy and four children: Teresa (Sheldon) Clark, Bruce (Linda), Kenneth (Jody) and Tony (Janet). He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren (with three more on the way) and his sister Karen (Murray) Wright. He was preceded in death by his parents and great-granddaughter, Arrabelle Derrwaldt.
There will be a viewing on Wednesday, Feb 12, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, at the Springdale LDS Chapel and again Thursday, Feb 13, from 11:30am to 12:45pm with services to follow at 1:00pm. Internment will be at the Rockville Cemetery.
Larry's entire family would like to thank everyone for their love, concern and prayers and also the staff at Dixie Regional for the care they rendered.
Forever a Cowboy
(We'll see you at the last round up Dad!)