Oral Lamb Ballam

Oral Lamb Ballam, age 90, died February 18, 2016 at his home in St. George, Utah from natural causes. He was born September 12, 1925 in Hyde Park, Utah to Oral Lynn and Delis Lamb Ballam. He married Tacy Chambers, daughter of George and Tacy Toolson Chambers, Smithfield, Utah, on December 29, 1947 in the Logan LDS Temple.
Raised in Cache County, he attended the Cove and Richmond elementary schools. He graduated from North Cache High school in Richmond in 1941. He then enlisted in the United States Navy on his 18th birthday and served three and a half years as a radioman/gunner in dive bombers in World War II.
He graduated from Utah State University, Logan, Utah, in 1949 with a B.S. degree in English, and then an M.S. degree in speech/dramatics in 1955. He received a Doctorate Degree of Education from UCLA in 1961. He also attended Columbia and Stanford Universities while on a one-year Ford Foundation Fellowship.
He taught at North Cache High School from 1949-1955, was principal of the Hyde Park Elementary School, 1957-1959, and was superintendent, Cache County School District, 1959-1963.
Dr. Ballam became a faculty member at Utah State University in 1963. He was appointed dean of the College of Education in 1969. He retired in 1992 after serving 23 years as dean. While he was dean the college received many state and national recognitions of excellence. In recognition of his services, USU awarded him several citations including the Gerald Sherritt Award for Exemplary Service to Students, the Nicholas Leone Outstanding Administrator Award for dynamic, visionary leadership, and the USU Alumni Distinguished Service Award. He served as chairman of the Board of the San Francisco Far West Research Laboratory. He was an active member of national and state professional organizations and was elected president of the American Association of Colleges of Education.
He served on more than 40 local, state and national education commissions, committees, task forces, and boards.
A true-blue Aggie, he was proud that he and Tacy and all their children were graduates of USU. He and Tacy were inducted into the USU Old Main Society for their unselfish service and generous financial support of their Alma Mater. They were ardent Aggie basketball fans and were season ticket holders for 23 years.
He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as a teacher, priesthood leader, high counselor, Smithfield 2nd Ward Bishop, Smithfield Stake President, Regional Representative, Logan Temple president, University Stake Patriarch, and as an ordinance worker and sealer in the Bountiful Utah Temple. He and Tacy served a short-term mission in Palmyra New York Temple in 2004.
He served twice as a scoutmaster and once as an explorer advisor. He was a sustaining member to the BSA for 68 years. He was a member of the Cache Valley BSA Executive Committee, and chairman, Bonneville Council, BSA. An Eagle Scout, he received the Silver Beaver Award from the National Council of Boy Scouts of America.
He was elected for three consecutive four-year terms as mayor, Smithfield city, 1966-1978. He received the Smithfield City Lions Club Outstanding Citizen Award. As mayor he served on many state and regional committees such as President of the Cache County Mayor Association, Chairman of the Bear River Association of Governments, member of the Utah League of Cities and Towns Executive Committee, chairman and member, Governor’s Advisory Council for Local Affairs. He was selected by the Utah League of Cities and Towns to receive the Tom McCoy Award as the outstanding elected local official in the State of Utah, 1975. In 1988 the Cache County Chamber of Commerce selected him to receive the Complete Citizen Award for his 50 years of exemplary service to Cache County.
He is survived by his five children and spouses, Gary (Yolanda Jaramillo) Kansas City, MO, Debra (Tony) Brog, St. George, UT, Pamela (Monte) Stephens, Fruit Heights, UT, Julie (Robert) Potter, Farmington, UT, and Craig (Angela Nordick), Chantilly, VA, 27 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Marianne Fullmer (Grant) Ballam, brother and sister-in-law, Ruth Chambers and Deane Harrison.
Our father and grandfather is dearly loved. He would rather serve than be served, give rather than receive. His life was devoted to making our lives, and the lives of others, more fulfilling and enjoyable. He unselfishly dedicated his time, talents and energy to serving his family, church, profession and community. We will miss him as we cherish our memories of him.
Funeral services will be held at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center St., Logan, on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 12:00, noon. Visitations will be held at the mortuary from 10:00 to 11:30. Interment will be in the Smithfield cemetery, 300 East Center Street.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Perpetual Education Fund, Corporation of the First Presidency, 15th Floor, Room 1521, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East North Temple, SLC, UT, 84150.