Thomas (Tommy) Clifton Ballard, Jr., 86, passed away Sunday, February 4, 2024, at his home in Sacramento, CA. Thomas was born August 30, 1937, to Thomas and Ruth (Loden) Ballard in Dorsey, Mississippi, the youngest of two children. He played football in the halfback and quarterback positions for Itawamba Agricultural High School located in Fulton, Mississippi and graduated in 1955. Thomas served in the United States Air Force based out of Moody AFB in Valdosta, Georgia with a rank of A2C. His passion for flight along with his easygoing charm and engaging personality made his early career in sales and marketing with Delta Airlines and then PSA Airlines a seamless transition. He loved to reminisce with his friends and family about his days working for the airlines. He had many humorous and eventful stories to share! In the early 1980s, Tom founded his own sales and marketing firm, Ballard Associates and in his later years, retired as a salesman for Pressto Valet. Thomas was an avid golfer and spent many a beautiful day on the links with his friends or sons in law. He appreciated the beauty and serenity of a beautifully designed and maintained course. He also enjoyed the beauty of Creation and loved to “look at the pretty” when he would spend time with his family driving in the magnificent California Sierra foothills – one of his favorite pastimes. He was a warm, generous, selfless, and loving man who always found a way to see the light in life and remain positive. His memory will remain in our hearts for a lifetime.
Thomas is survived by his loving daughters Lori Lynn Adams and Jill Leigh Bovy; his sons in law, Brock S. Adams and Jason H. Bovy, elder sister, Margaret Kent; nieces, Cindy, and Deandra; cousin, Rhonda; 4 step-grandchildren, Jasmin, Camelia, Samuel, and Joseph and two great-granddaughters Holly Anna and Mona Joy.
A celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 PM, Saturday, March 23 at The Clubhouse at Woodcreek Oaks Golf Course, 5880 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd. Roseville, CA 95747. The interment service will be held on Thursday, April 18 at the Sacramento Valley National VA Cemetery located in Dixon, CA at 2:30 PM.
