David Ballard

BALLARD, David B., Sr. 8/26/1943 – 10/29/2018 David Brinkerhoff Ballard (aka Dad, Mac, Pappy, General) lived an incredibly full seventy-five years on this Earth before being called to his eternal Heavenly home on October 29, 2018. Dave’s legacy is legendary and his life was that of a model father, husband, mentor, coach, teammate, friend and most importantly disciple of Jesus Christ. David was born in Big Rapids, Michigan to Kenneth Lea Ballard and Elizabeth Brinkerhoff-Ballard. He spent his early life living wherever the oil business took his father and his extended maternal Brinkerhoff family. Young David was an athlete and a trap and skeet shooting champion as his family traveled and lived all over the U.S. including Michigan, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado and Calgary, AB, Canada. Throughout their childhood, David and his three brothers (Ken, Mike and Steve) attended as many as thirteen different schools before David finally settled down in Denver, Colorado at Cherry Creek High School. David was a tremendous athlete on the football field as a starting running back, linebacker and kick returner. David graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 1961 and went on to pursue academics at Baker University in Baldwin City, KS as an Art Major (graduating with honors) and a member of the Baker University Wildcats Football Team. While at Baker University, David met his future bride, Lucinda Lee Hamilton, also a graduate of Cherry Creek High School. Upon graduation Dave and Cindy married and moved to Casper, WY and then onto Anchorage, AK as Dave again pursued the family oil business, rough necking in the Aleutian Islands. In 1969 Dave and Cindy had their first child (David Jr.) in Kansas City, MO and they continued traveling all over the oil rich U.S. before a job opportunity landed the couple in Omaha, NE. After settling in Nebraska, Dave and Cindy had four more children (Christopher, Kenneth Michael, Joshua and Eryn). Dave worked for Texaco, Truesdale Floor Covering, Sheppard’s Business Interiors, Indoff Inc. and finally Lifegate Church and Christian School. Dave’s passions were focused around his dear family, introducing his love of fishing to his children as they traveled throughout Nebraska, into Minnesota and to the far reaches of Canada in search of his beloved walleye and northern pike. Dave was a legendary youth football coach in the Omaha area and was an accomplished marathon runner. Dave loved to collect and shoot firearms, and he had a passion for climbing mountains in Colorado. His greatest lifelong pursuit, however, was studying and teaching God’s word and his love affair with Christ Jesus. Dave pursued Christian mission efforts in many parts of the world and he had an unrivaled passion for the development and discipleship of Christian men of all ages. He was an author and sought-after pioneer of teachings on “Authentic Manhood”. In his work and unwavering dedication, his impact on God’s Kingdom will surely carry on for generations of men seeking God’s heart. Dave was preceded in death by grandson Tyler Ballard; Dave is survived by his Wife of 54 years, Cindy Ballard; Children: Dave, Jr. (Tracy), Chris (Lisa), Mike (Shelly), Josh (Rachel) Ballard, Eryn (Matt) Styles; 19 Grandchildren; many other relatives and friends. Celebration of Dave’s Life: Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 at 10:00am at Lifegate Church (156th & W. Dodge Rd.) Following the service, please join the family for a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorials given to the family will be used in Dave’s memory at a later date. Braman Mortuary - Southwest Chapel 6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE68137 402-895-3400