Dr. Henry Harold Ballard I

On June 18, 1943, in Mount Enterprise, Texas, Henry Harold (“Harl” or “Hank”) Ballard, the third of five children, was born to the late Luther and Katherine Harper Ballard. As a young child, Henry was united with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church where his father was the minister. Luther’s occupation required the family to relocate quite frequently until they settled finally in Rusk, Texas, where Henry graduated from G. W. Bradford High School in 1961.

He attended Texas College in Tyler, Texas where he flourished both academically and socially. Henry joined the Phi Delta Psi Social Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Mu Interest Club and was voted “Most Studious” by his peers. It is during this time he met the love of his life, Mae Frances Traylor, and they were united in matrimony in 1964. Henry graduated the following year in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics and he began post-graduate studies at the University of New York in Albany.

The year 1965 also brought forth the first of four children born to their union whose dates of birth range from 1965 through 1971.

Henry’s graduate studies as well as his family unit would be temporarily disrupted due to his struggles with alcohol addiction. However, on March 11, 1975, he fully committed to the long hard road to recovery. By the grace of God, and through his resolve and commitment to rehabilitation, he miraculously conquered his alcoholism, earned a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Chemistry from Texas Christian University, and gained prestigious membership within the Sigma Xi Scientific Honor Society. With a fresh new lease on life, he accepted career opportunities in the field of Education as a Research Scientist assistant at the University of Texas at Dallas, as a Science / Math teacher with Wilmer Hutchins ISD in Dallas, as Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and as Associate Professor at Prairie View A&M University. Reborn and rehabilitated, Henry reforged his family bonds by re-marrying his college sweetheart, and the mother of all his children, and relocated his entire family to Houston, Texas in 1982.

During his professional years, Henry would strengthen his reputation as a respected Educator, being featured in Who’s Who among America’s Teachers and gaining acclaim in the scientific community for his breakthrough research featured in multiple important publications. His position as Honors College and Student Teaching Coordinator, as well as Research Director for graduate / undergraduate students, have helped to launch the careers of many promising students that he mentored. He was active in organizations such as the American Chemical Society, American Association of University Professors, and Alcoholics Anonymous, sharing his great success stories to inspire others to obtain and maintain their sobriety as he did. He was also actively involved and received special recognition for his contributions to the grassroots political movement.

Henry and Mae saw each of their children graduate from the national exemplary Cypress Fairbanks High School and attend institutions of higher learning. While the marital and family bonds diminished over time, Henry’s presence in his adult children’s lives never wavered as he continued to be a constant source of guidance, advice and assistance, when needed, as befitting a father.

Henry found time to enjoy the activities and interests that brought him peace and tranquility. His favorite pursuits were roller skating, playing guitar, watching and discussing NCAA and NFL football. The Dallas Cowboys was his team. Henry was a lover of animals but was especially partial to his German Shepherd Dogs (Blackie, Apache, Lucky) and of course, horses. One of his favorite hobbies during his golden years was researching lineages of different horse breeds and studying their strengths and attributes. To keep himself active, he worked at the Lone Star Race Park for 18 years in Grand Prairie, Texas, so he could be close to the magnificent animals he so admired.

Dr. Henry Harold Ballard passed away on February 8, 2023 in Grand Prairie, Texas. His one goal in life, was to die sober…a promise he kept to his late father, and to himself. For nearly 48 years, he maintained his sobriety, a testament to his will, resolve, and God’s plan for his life. He was preceded in death by his two older sisters, Patsy Ruth and Emma Lee Ballard; twin brothers, Leroy and Ray Ballard (who transitioned shortly after birth), and his first-born child, Gayla Patrice Ballard Singleton (William). He is survived by his (estranged) wife, Mae Traylor Ballard; three adult children, Melonye Catrice Ballard Nicholas (Christopher - deceased), Sandra Latrice Ballard, Henry H. Ballard, II (Deshonda); two grandchildren, Eden Nikole Nicholas and Kayla Patrice Ballard; three nieces Julie Mitchell (James), Arthena Roquemore (Joe), Reeser Clare (Raymond); four great-nieces; five great-nephews; and a host of other cousins and friends.

Though no longer here in this natural realm, his spirit, his memory and wide-spread influence endures.

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