Master Sergeant Gene Jerome Ballard Ret.

Funeral service for Master Sergeant Gene Jerome Ballard, Ret., 78, will be Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Pell City. Interment will follow at Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo at 2:45 p.m. Mr. Ballard passed away August 3, 2012. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Ruby Ballard;brother, Buddy C. Ballard. Mr. Ballard was married to his wonderful wife, Rita for 60 years. Mr. Ballard was a great daddy, grandfather, great-grandfather and he was known as Pop by all. He served in the US Air Force for 23 years and was a Flight Engineer on C-141's. He was thought of as the hero of heroes. He is survived by his wife, Rita G. ballard; sons, Gene Jerome Ballard, Jr.; daughters, Mona Ballard Evanochko, Lisa Ballard Murdoch, Mary Kay Ballard Wyatt; sisters, Kaythern B. Sams, Mary Frank Kelly, Janice Jackson; grandchildren, Rita Melise Harris, Megan Brasher, Erin Lawley, Lauren Brascho, Britton Evanochko, Heather Murdoch, Courtney Ballard, Drake Grier, Lauren Grier, Gene Jerome Ballard, III, Jenna Ballard, Kaylee Emerson, Emily Wyatt; great-granddaughters, Abby Grace Harris, Katlynn Grier, Charlotte Joy Harris, Gabrielle Grier, Jayda Ballard, Addison Murdoch Forbes. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 8, 2012 from 10 to 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Pell City. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Development and Community Relations, NP 2500 1802 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35282-9885. Condolences may be offered online at www.kilgroefh.com Kilgroe Funeral Home in Pell City will direct the service.