Charles Ballard

Charles H. Charlie Ballard, 82, of Brenham, died April 26, 2004, at his home. Mr. Ballard was born May 20, 1921, in Pine Park, Georgia, to Herman Brown and Mary Pearl Bonner Ballard. He graduated high school in Lakeland, Florida and attended SMU in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Ballard served in the field artillery and the Air Force during World War II. Decorations and citations he received were the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations Ribbon, One Oak Leaf Cluster to Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. On May 7, 1951, he married Lee Polczak in Oswego, New York. Mr. Ballard was a retired airline pilot for Braniff Airways and was a member of St. Mary s Catholic Church in Brenham. Survivors include his wife, Lee M. Ballard of Brenham; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael Ballard of Fort Worth, Jeannie Ballard West of Mexico, New York, Patrick and Janice Ballard of Birmingham, Alabama and Kevin and Peggy Ballard of Quincy, Illinois; daughters and sons-in-law, Jenny and Kevin Connelly of Fulton, New York, Anna Maria Johnson of Bowie, Texas, Lucy Ballard Willson of Quincy, Illinois, Rebecca and Bruce Beckman of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee and Rachel and Jody Martin of Burton; brothers, George Ballard of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee and James Ballard of Lakeland, Florida; 25 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. The funeral Mass will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 29 in St. Mary s Catholic Church in Brenham with Father David Ivey, celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Brenham. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 in Memorial Oaks Chapel with a Scripture service to be held at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Ballard s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Hospice Brenham or St. Mary s Catholic Church Youth Group in Brenham. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham.