Robert Steven Ballard

Robert Steven Ballard, 74 years old of Amarillo, passed from Earth to Heaven on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Robert was born on January 3, 1949 in Amarillo, Texas to George Hume and

Frances Jean Ballard.  As a child and teen, Robert grew up in the South Lawn area of Amarillo where he was very active in Boy Scouts and attended South Lawn Baptist Church. He went to Amarillo High School and in 1966, he became a staff member who worked at Camp Don Harrington as a Canoeing Merit Badge instructor. As a young man, Robert was a great big brother to his younger, only sibling, Bruce, taking him roller skating every Friday night.  Robert graduated from Amarillo High in 1967 and after that spent some time in the state of Washington where he worked at Federal Way Gulf Service.  In the early 1970’s, Robert came back to Texas, where he met Roxana Olson while working on a roadcrew and on January 4, 1975, he married Roxana in Shamrock, Texas.  The couple lived in Amarillo until their son Benjamin was born and then moved to Oklahoma.  While living in Oklahoma, their daughter Amanda was born.  Robert was actively involved in Ben’s Cub Scout Pack, and while in Weatherford Oklahoma, he worked at 3M.  In the late 1980’s, Robert and Roxana separated, and Robert eventually returned to Amarillo.  While back in Amarillo, Robert worked at a Walmart Supercenter, and for several years, brought joy into the hearts of many children by playing Santa Clause during the Christmas season. Some of his favorite hobbies included talking on a CB radio, going out to participate in Karaoke with friends, and watching old classic movies with his mother.

Robert is preceded in death by his father, George Hume Ballard.

Surviving members of his family include his mother, Frances Jean Ballard; his brother Bruce Ballard and sister-in-law Christine Ballard; his son Benjamin Ballard; his daughter Amanda Haynes and son-in-law James Haynes; two grandsons, Ryan Hunter Haynes and Cameron Alexander Haynes; niece Breanne Ballard and nephew Ashton Ballard.

A celebration of Robert’s life will be held Saturday, April 15

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at 1:00 at his mother’s house in Amarillo.  If you would like to send condolences, or “stories of remembrance” to be shared at the life celebration, please send them to his brother Bruce’s address: 2813 Lloyd Drive, Amarillo, TX 79110-2209.