Thomas Joseph Ballard

Thomas Joseph “Red” Ballard, 79 years old of Rising Sun, Indiana, passed away on July 15th, 2024. Tom was born October 10th, 1944, a son of the late Georgia May Amos Ballard and PFC Lawrence Ballard. Early tragedies left “Red” orphaned and his cousins, Norman and Marylou Ballard raised “Red” and considered him their own son. Tom spent the early parts of his life tobacco farming and raising cows. Tom had two daughters from his first union. Georgia Ballard, and Sharon Ballard. Tom married Donna Jackson Ballard in June of 1997. Tom and Donna relocated to North Carolina for work, enjoying the beach life before retiring from General Electric in 2003 and moving back to East Enterprise Indiana. He had many hobbies such as beaching, camping, gardening, and four wheeling. Tom loved spending time with his family and cracking jokes.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Donna Jackson Ballard of Rising Sun, IN; by his daughter, Georgia Ballard (Bob Bradley) of Aurora, IN, granddaughter, Jessica Ballard (Tim Cook), great-grandson Hunter Kelley, and great-granddaughter Bowen Cook of Rising Sun, IN; by his granddaughter Chelsea (Carlos) Rivera and great-granddaughter HensLee Rivera of Leoma, TN; by his stepdaughter, Randa Snelling (Shannon) and by his grandson Justin Snelling (Bailey) as well as great-granddaughter Lauren Jean, grandson Dalton Snelling, grandson Ethan Snelling of Rising Sun, IN; by his stepson, John Miller Jr. (Karrah) and granddaughters, Tyrrah and Tamryn Miller of Rising Sun, IN; by his stepson Christopher Miller (Amanda Defevers) and grandchildren, Christian, Aubree, Olivia, Kiegan, Kohen & Kamdynn of Moores Hill, IN; by his stepson Brandon Miller and grandchildren, Braydon, Jackson, & Carter of Rising Sun, IN; by his stepson Cody Miller (Emily) and granddaughter Addyston of Rising Sun, IN; and by many nieces and nephews.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents; by his daughter Sharon Ballard Craig; by his brother Don Ballard; by his brother Jack Ballard; by his brother Paul Ballard; by his brother Earl Ballard; by his half siblings, Louis Coy Konkle, Louie Coy; by his cousin Norman Ballard; by his cousin Marylou Ballard; by his grandson Holden Miller.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Friday, July 19th, 2024 at Markland Funeral Home in Rising Sun, IN with Rev. Charles Miller officiating. Visitation will be 11 AM – 1 PM, Friday, July 19th, 2024 at Markland Funeral Home. Burial will be at Florence Cemetery in Florence, IN. Memorial donations may be made towards funeral expense. marklandfuneralhome.com

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