August 26, 1932 - April 21, 2021
Robert Lee Ballenger, at the age of 88, peacefully left this world, surrounded by love in his home, on April 21, 2021.
Bob was born in Dewar, Oklahoma, on August 26, 1932, to Jesse Clay and Nora Vetters Ballenger. He was raised with four siblings: Betty, Alice, Bill and Kenneth. They moved to this area in 1937, in the midst of the Great Depression.
He graduated from Stockton High School in 1950. The following year, on July 4, 1951, he married Mildred Pauline Blake. Together, they lovingly raised five children: Johnny, Steve, Jack, Timothy, and Mitzi.
Bob was a very well respected arborist, cabinet maker/carpenter, brickmason and ‘fisher of men’. He was a pillar of the Old Country Church on Mariposa Road. Always, he had a heart to help someone in need. In his latter years, he volunteered singing at nursing homes, working at local food pantries and the Gospel Rescue Mission. He will be remembered for “A Beautiful Life” that he lived.
Bob was preceded in passing by Mildred, his loving wife of 63 years; sons: Johnny and Jack; parents: Jesse Clay and Nora; and siblings: Alice, Bill and Kenneth. He is survived by three children: Steve (Wanda), Mitzi (Richard), Timothy; sibling: Betty; six grandchildren: Jacqueline (Richard), Steven (Regina), Robert (Pauline), Jeremiah (Stacy), Alison (Jonathan), Richard; thirteen great-grandchildren: Robert, Micah, Austin, Barry, Blake, Hannah, Zach, Camryn, Calyb, Isybella, Abigail, Stevie, Moriah; three great-great-grandchildren: Silas, Reagan, Everett; and numerous other family and friends.
SERVICES:
The viewing will be held Wednesday 4-7pm, and the graveside service on Thursday 10am, both at Cherokee Memorial. In lieu of flowers, please honor Bob by making donation to operationsmile.org, a charity he supported to help children in need of surgical correction of cleft lip/palate.