John Neil Ballard, Jr.
November 20, 1960 - March 13, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce John Neil Ballard, Jr. of Tonkawa, OK, peacefully passed away in his home at age 64, on March 13th 2025. Friends and Family are welcome to Trout Funeral Home, Tonkawa, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 9:00 am-8:00 pm, with family present from 5:00-7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 10:00 am at The First Christian Church, 123 W Pawnee St. Medford, OK, with Pastor Jeff Enabnit. Burial following at Rosemound Cemetery in Medford. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 505 Thunderbird Rd, Tonkawa, OK, 74653.
John was born on November 20, 1960, in Ft. Bliss, TX, to his parents, 1st Sgt. John Neil Ballard, Sr. and Marilyn Lea (Unbehauen) Ballard of Medford, OK. John traveled the world with his family as a “military brat”: including; Ft. Bliss, Okinawa, Ft. Campbell, Germany, Ft. Bragg and Ft. Sill. He later graduated from Medford High School in 1979. After graduation, he began work in the oil field and then traveled extensively with Haliburton. He later settled in Tennessee, and became a general contractor, licensed electrician, and owned his own business, Ballard Excavation and Construction Company. He eventually moved back to Oklahoma and ended his career at Kugel Enterprises.
John enjoyed traveling the world, racing, fishing, baseball, football, and most of all, spending time with friends and family. He was well known as “Uncle John”. He was always ready for a good time and ready to work. John was the true definition of “work hard, play harder”. He lived a great life!
John is survived by: his two sisters, Ginger Ballard, and Cynthia Ballard of OKC, OK; bonus sister, Amy (Trosper) Elliot of Norman, OK; daughter, Cassie (Ballard) Trevino and spouse, Clinton Trevino, Sr., of Cache, OK; step-daughter, Alicia (Hurla) Henricks and spouse, Anthony Henricks, of Cache, OK; grandchildren, Clinton, Jr. (C.J.), Cynlea and Camber Trevino; niece, Misty (Kugel) Beall of OKC, OK; nephew, Bryan Kugel and Braxie Bixler of Tonkawa, OK; great-nephew, Kash Kugel; and Mattilyn Bixler of Tonkawa, OK; and several other family members and friends.
Preceded in death by: grandparents, Otto (Bud) and Christine Unbehauen of Medford, OK, and Pauline Keegan of Freemont, OH; two special great aunts, Margaret Dell, and Faye Harris of Medford, OK; great-niece, Anna Kugel of Tonkawa, OK, and best bud, Dozier, the cocker spaniel. .
Pallbearers will be Bryan Kugel, Kash Kugel, Curtis Hannon, Matt Wolfe, Paul Edgington, Brandon Wilcoxson. Honorary Pallbearer will be Steve (Mule) Gessell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Tonkawa Animal Shelter, 110 E. NOC Dr., Tonkawa, OK, 74653.
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