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Richard Allen Ballew passed away on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 1998, at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 52. Richard was born September 6, 1946, in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, to Burney Willis and Mary Etta (Harmon) Ballew. He was a United States Air Force Veteran, in the tradition of his Father, brothers, and sister, who all served in the military. Richard was an aircraft mechanic for the T-37 jet trainer while in the Air Force. Richard worked at many jobs in his lifetime. These are the ones that I most remember. Richard worked for Montgomery Ward in Tulsa, Oklahoma as an appliance serviceman. Richard also worked in Dallas, Texas for an electrical contractor installing power management systems in the Dillards Department Store chain. Richard attended the vocational education school in Lawton, Oklahoma. As one of the best graduates of his welding class, Richard was hired by a contractor to work as a welder to help build the new Reynolds Army Community Hospital at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which opened in 1989, and where I still work today. Richard also worked with a neighbor in Lawton, Oklahoma doing commercial and residential landscape and lawn care. Richard was 100% disabled at the time of his death due to complications from smoking most of his life, including emphysema, blood clots, and finally, heart attacks. I think, and most people agree with me, that Richard died of not being able to give up the smoking addiction. Richard never married or had any children. His only legacy will be the memory that we each carry of Richard, and of the good works that he did for his friends and coworkers. Richard was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His family moved north of Tulsa, to Turley, Oklahoma, in 1951. In Turley Richard was raised in the countryside along with rabbits, chickens, cats, and dogs. Richard moved back to Tulsa with his parents in 1961 and graduated from McClain High School in 1965. Richard was a good companion, a good friend, and a good brother. I don't think that he ever intentionally harmed or injured anyone. He got along well with others, and would keep pace with the best of men on any project. 
Richard is survived by his mother, Mary Etta (Harmon) Ballew Scott, and his step-father, Edward Scott, of the home in Garland, Texas; his two brothers: Ronald of Lawton, Oklahoma; and, Donald of Garland, Texas; and, his sister: Patricia (Ballew) Jubera, of Garland, Texas. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Burney Willis Ballew, of Mangum, Oklahoma. Richard was baptized into the church at the Turley Church of Christ where he went to church 3 times a week and learned the scriptures. As a member of the church, he could repent of his sins and ask for forgiveness and be allowed to enter the gates of heaven. Let us bow our heads in prayer: "Our Father, who art in Heaven. Please forgive us our sins, and please forgive Richard, and allow him to enter into your heavenly abode. In Christ's name we ask, Amen." - December 29, 1998 by Ronald Willis Ballew |
