McNeil J. ‘Jim’ Ballard, Jr., 77, died Monday, Feb. 11 from a very fast acting cancer at home, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. His family moved all around the United States as he grew up. He went to Los Gatos High School, went into the Air Force, and graduated from Northwestern University.

Mr. Ballard’s first job after college was at Allis Chalmers in West Allis, Wis. He and his wife Jan were married in Wauwatosa, Wis. in 1963, moved to Santa Clara in 1966 where their three children were born, moved to San Jose in 1972, then Singapore in 1976, Brazil in 1980, and back to San Jose in 1982.

Since moving to Oakdale in 1995, he and his wife joined Oakdale Golf and Country Club. He was active in many ways over the years. He was quite involved with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), volunteering his time and talents to do taxes for those who needed VITA’s help.

The Oakdale Public Library will remember him taking time to deliver books to those who were not able to get to the library. He delivered to homes and to the Oak Valley Care Center. Delta Blood Bank will remember him for his blood donations and being a volunteer driver to carry blood from donor sites to the blood bank in Stockton.

Survivors include his wife, Jan Ballard of Oakdale; children, Jeff (Kim Yeary) Ballard of Cameron Park, Jennifer (Frank) Dykes, and Robert Ballard, all of Oakdale; and grandchildren, Audrey Ballard, Jared Dykes, and Chantelle Ballard.

A memorial will be held at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356-9259, or to the charity of your choice.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Feb. 20, 2013