Larry Wayne Ballard

Funeral services for Larry Wayne Ballard, 74, longtime Clinton businessman and resident, have been set for 11:00 A.M. Monday February 19, 2018 at the First Christian Church with Larry's best friend Doyle Kinney officiating, and under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Clinton Cemetery. Larry was born September 24, 1943 in Caney Oklahoma to John Dee and Helen (Walden) Ballard and passed away February 14, 2018 in Clinton, Oklahoma. Larry lived his childhood around the Lake Texoma area and graduated from Mead High School where he was an outstanding athlete, earning all district and all-conference honors in basketball. He joined the National Guard in 1960 and was in the 45th infantry division until 1968 where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. While in the service, he married the love of his life, Melba (Armstrong), 54 years ago on December 20, 1963 and they were best friends and partners until Larry's passing. Larry and Melba had two children, Dusty and Misty and five grandchildren who were Larry's pride and joy. Ballard began working at the age of ten doing all sorts of jobs such as picking cotton, thrashing peanuts, cutting firewood, running a bread and candy route with his dad, peddling newspapers and many other odd jobs. He worked for Aero Commander as an industrial engineer and helped to design the jet commander. Larry began his career in the car business at Burkhart's Camperama which led to selling cars for Howe Chevrolet in El Reno. He eventually moved his family to Clinton in 1978 to become the general manager for Buck Chevrolet. In 1980, Ballard purchased Bill Gover Ford which became "Ballards of Clinton". Larry earned many awards for sales throughout his career but he was most proud of the Legion of Leaders award and the Chevy Hall of Honor. He served on the Ford Dealers Advertising Board for 3 years and Clinton's hospital board for 12 years. He remained in the car business until he retired to travel with Melba and to attend as many of his grandkid's sporting events as possible. Anyone who knew Larry, had no doubt about how much he loved picking his guitar, a good game of golf, small town basketball tournaments, having coffee with his friends and especially spending time with his grandkids. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Patricia "Kay" Ballard and Donna "Lynn" Kirk. He is survived by his wife Melba of the home, his son Dusty Ballard of Clinton and his Children Dawson and Kamber, his daughter Misty and her husband Mike Carmin of Cushing, their children, Peyton, Kori, and Kenzi, a brother Jimmy and his wife Barbara of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, brother in laws Bobby Kirk of Silo, Oklahoma, Larry Armstrong and his wife Carol of Barnsdall, Oklahoma, and Roger Armstrong and his wife Lois of Rutledge, TN., a sister in law Carlene Buckaloo of Lacoste TX., and numerous nieces and nephews and other family members.