Darrell Wayne Ballard

Darrell Wayne Ballard left this life peacefully and surrounded by family for his heavenly home on March 19, 2024. Darrell was born December 1, 1940 in Chelsea Oklahoma to George Everett Ballard and Erma Garrison Ballard. He was the fifth of eight children. Darrell attended a small rural school in Winganon, Oklahoma and graduated as valedictorian of his eighth grade class of four. His family soon moved to Chelsea where he graduated in 1959. Darrell lettered in baseball, basketball, and football, served on the student council, was president of his freshman class, and vice president of his senior class. Darrell graduated with an education degree from NSU in Tahlequah Ok where he met the love of his life Mary Lee Roberts. They were married in Muskogee, OK on his graduation day in 1963. He later continued his education by completing a masters degree from NSU and a counseling degree from OSU. Darrell began his teaching career in Allewe, OK where he coached boys and girls basketball, baseball and taught history. In 1965 he and Mary moved to Bartlesville where Darrell joined the history department of College High and Mary began her teaching career at Wilson Elementary. He later became head of the history department and in 1976 he became a member of the counseling staff at College High. Darrell moved to the Madison Middle School's counseling staff in 1984. While at Madison (through a grant from the Bartlesville School Foundation) he developed the first homework hotline for students. He returned to high school in 1990 until his retirement in 1997. Darrell was named counselor of the year by the Bartlesville Counseling Association. Darrell was a dedicated runner, an avid reader, a masterful gardener, loved to travel and loved spoiling his granddaughter Emmy. In the early 2000's he was announced as winner of Bartlesville's Best Lawn Contest. He shared his love with all things OU by tailgating at home games and attending many Red River shootouts with his son Steve and family. Darrell's love of western art and history led him to become a WOOLAROC docent during retirement. He loved golf and delighted that his only "hole in one" in his many years of playing was witnessed by his son Steve and daughter-in-law Brenda. Darrell had many wonderful moments in his life including being inducted into the Bartlesville Educators Hall of Fame class of 2023, but none bigger than the births of his son Steve in 1969 and his beautiful granddaughter in 2001. Darrell is survived by his wife of 61 years Mary Lee, daughter-in-law Brenda Ballard and precious granddaughter Emmy of Spring, TX, sister Sharron Cunningham (Orvil) Bartlesville, OK, Karen Ward (Art} Ramona, OK, brother-in-law Marvin Thurman Bartlesville, OK, plus numerous nieces and nephews that he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Steve, his parents, in-laws Ovie and Mary Katherine Roberts Stigler, OK, sister-in-law Carolyn Roberts Hoffman Stigler, OK, brother Herman'Leroy Ballard Minneapolis, MN, sister Dorothy Burchett, Talala, OK, sister Norma Jean Harrell, Grove, OK, sister MaryThurman, Bartlesville, OK, sister Joyce Farnum, Oolagah, OK. Darrell was an active member of Bartlesville First United Methodist church and the Cornerstone Sunday School class. Services will be held at Bartlesville First Church on Price Road at 10:00 am, June 26th.

Darrell Wayne Ballard

December 1, 1940 - March 19, 2024