Gerald Ballard

Gerald Thomas Ballard, died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at his home.

He was born in Oakdale. He joined the Navy and served on the USS Ottawa and sailed into Nagasaki Harbor after the city was hit by an atomic bomb. Following the end of the war in 1946, he was discharged and returned to Oakdale.

In July 1950, he joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War.

Following his four-year enlistment, he and his wife made their home in Cameron and Lake Charles where they raised their four children. In 1970, the family moved back to Oakdale where he opened and operated Purina Feed Store for several years. He later worked for the Allen Parish School Board as a bus driver and for the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office as a deputy.

He is survived by his wife, Jackie Young Ballard; one son, Gerald “Tom” Ballard; three daughters, Rebecca Ballard, Kathleen Ballard and Nancy Willis, and her husband, Grant; two brothers, Olin Ballard and Tommy Ballard; one sister, Glenda Stewart; seven grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren.

He was preceeded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mary Ballard; and five brothers.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan, 8, at Mt. Hope Baptist Church in Oakdale with Rev. Brian Johnson officiating. Interment followed at Beaver Creek Cemetery under the direction of Rush Funeral Home in Oakdale.