Robert Melroy Ballard

Benson, Utah: R. MelRoy Ballard was born June 9, 1926 to Robert LeRoy Ballard and Agatha Toombs Ballard in Benson. MelRoy passed away February 14, 2011 due to pancreatitis.
MelRoy attended schools in Cache County; Benson elementary, Smithfield Junior High, and North Cache High where he excelled in basketball and enjoyed playing in the North Cache Band. MelRoy was Sophomore class president, an officer in the FFA, and a member of the booster club.
World War II was in progress and MelRoy was drafted into the army during his senior year of high school. He signed in as a paratrooper in the Philippines (11th airborne).
Upon his return home he attended Utah State University and studied mechanical engineering majoring in metal urology and a minor in photography.
MelRoy married Lois Wiser in the Logan LDS Temple on September 28, 1951. They were blessed with five children, Troy (Mara) of Benson, Jeffery (Trudy) of Benson, Jennifer (Kenneth Perkes) of Somersworth, New Hampshire, Pamela Olson of Hyde Park, and Robert (GayLynn) of Syracuse. MelRoy has 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Due to his father having a heart attack he took over the dairy farm. He increased the dairy herd and improved the farm ground and took care of the machinery. He became voted second runner up as young farmer of the year of Cache County in 1960.
He equipped the farm with a modern tool repair shop where he fixed and repaired his farm machinery as well as the neighbors. He also did custom hay bailing throughout the valley, custom weed spraying, and a home photo business. MelRoy was always willing to help neighbors with their farming needs.
He worked hard but also played hard. He loved boating, waterskiing down the Bear River, and took his family and friends to annual Lake Powell trips. He loved snowmobiling for many years in the local mountains, Yellowstone area, and is probably still snowmobiling in heaven.
MelRoy is a member of the LDS church. He loved the gospel and served in many capacities in the ward and stake. He served a mission with his wife Lois, in the Washington, Seattle mission in 1988.
Surviving siblings are RaNae Parker (George), Joan Cooper (Gary), Gary (NaDean) Ballard. Preceded in death are parents Robert LeRoy and Agatha Toombs Ballard, sister, Myrna Ballard, and brothers in laws, Larry Parker, and Judd Allsop.
A special thank you to Dr. Nash and Intermountain Homecare and Hospice.
The family is grateful to all good neighbors and friends who shared life's experiences with MelRoy.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 19, in the Benson Ward Chapel, 3432 North 3000 West, Benson, Utah. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Friday, February 18, 2011 at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 East 1800 North, North Logan, and prior to the services from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the Benson Ward church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net