Johnnie “John” Wayne Ballard, 72, of Yukon, died Tuesday Sept. 20, 2022. He was born March 17, 1950, in LaFollette, Tennessee, to Arthur and Rosetta (Wilson) Ballard. He was the second oldest of seven children.
John joined the U.S. Army in 1967 and previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
John met his wife Donna in January 1971 and they were married Feb. 12, 1971. They celebrated 51 years of marriage in February of this year.
He is survived by his wife, Donna, and son, Dennis, of the home; daughters, Brenda (James) Choate and Daniele (Brad) Steele; sons, Johnny (Lisa) Ballard, David Ballard and Benjamin O’Dea; 10 grandchildren: Jodi (Michael) Wallace, Tyler Choate, Desiree Steele and fiancé Hunter Herron, Sierra (Bryson) Bagley, Ryan Choate, Chandlor Ballard, Justin Ballard, MacKenzie Steele and fiancé Chase Tanner, Ayden Ballard (Kelsey Lemaster) and Victoria Steele; and two great-grandchildren, Waylen Wallace and Isla Herron, with three more great-grandchildren on the way. John is also survived by his sister, Sue (John) Varner, and brother, Eddie Ballard, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Rosetta Ballard; stepfather, Dennis Ferrie; sister, Charlotte Fazio; and three brothers, Bill Ballard, Danny Ballard and Rick Ballard.
John was a true believer of God and loved to spread the word of God. He also loved to help others. One way he did this was by creating OK Bike for Kids. He started by taking gently used bikes and refurbishing them and giving them away. This soon caught the attention of local news personalities and grew to annual Christmas bike giveaways. Bikes were donated by many local merchants and individuals. This is going to be continued in his memory by his family and friends.
Viewing will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022, at the funeral home. Celebration of life services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Clear Springs Church, 921 N. Clear Springs Road, Mustang, Oklahoma, with interment following at the Yukon Cemetery, Yukon, Oklahoma.
Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, Oklahoma.
