Obituary: BALLARD, BRUCE

Bruce David Ballard1952 ~ 2013Bruce David Ballard, 61, passed away September 9, 2013 at his home due to primary central nervous system lymphoma. He was born on August 26, 1952, in Murray, Utah, to Bruce H. Ballard and Laura Ann Greenwood. Bruce loved life. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed. Raised in Draper, Utah, Bruce was the oldest of 10 children. He was involved in athletics as a young boy and won the Draper City Punt, Pass & Kick contest three years in a row. Bruce wrestled for Jordan High School and graduated in 1971. He served an honorable LDS mission in Los Angeles, Calif. After his mission he attended Brigham Young University. Working as a police officer in Moab in 1982 and 1983 Bruce developed a love for public service. He moved back up to northern Utah where he was a West Jordan City police officer and then became a full-time firefighter. He was a hazardous-materials expert and loved the wonderful people with whom he worked at his home away from home. Bruce was also a wonderful carpenter; he loved the challenge of taking on a problem for someone and solving it with his great thinking skills. He served in various callings in the LDS church involving the youth. He was a Boy Scout leader, an assistant girl's camp director with his wife, and a primary teacher. Bruce lived his life as we all should: with his heart. He was always sticking up for the underdog from a very young age. He was never afraid to do the right thing, despite what others thought. He was kind and generous with his time and was always lending a hand to help others whenever he could. He was married and sealed to his eternal companion and best friend, Shanna Watts. Together they have made a home where all are welcome. He loved to garden and loved his farm animals. Family was everything to him, and together with his sweet wife they enjoyed fishing and hunting, hiking and exploring the outdoors. Bruce is survived by his wife, Shanna, and six children; Jared & Katie, O'Ryan & Sarah, Hyrum & Sheena, Benjamin & Jessica, Amy & Trevor Graff, and Thomas, and 12 grandchildren; Wyatt, Waylon, Quincy, Hallie, Gavin, Maylee, Rachael, Arika, Ashton, Fayette, Collin and James. Bruce's surviving family include his mother Ann Andreason (Carl) and his brothers and sisters; Beverly Bonham (Craig), Brian Ballard, Bonnie Kirkpatrick (Alan), Brenda Steedman, Mary Beth Garrison (Roger), Betty Jo Tripp, Brad Ballard (Leslie), and Bridget Olsen (Richard), and David Ballard. He is also survived by Loralee Kirk and her daughter, Catherine Kastler. His father, Bruce H. Ballard, and his sister, Barbara Ballard Thomas, preceded Bruce in death. We want to thank everyone at Intermountain Medical Center and CNS Home Health Care for their kind care of Bruce in his final days. We give special thanks to the West Jordan Fire Department for their brotherly kindness and service for Bruce and his family. Shanna would also like to thank every family member and friend who rallied around Bruce in his last days.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 11:00 am in the Highland 1st LDS Ward Chapel, 9621 North 6050 West, Highland, Utah. Family and friends may call Friday evening from 6:00- 8:00 pm at the Highland 1st Ward Chapel and also on Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment will be at the Highland City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.warenski.com