Ralph Ballard

It is said that Angels walk among us, and Heaven gained a beautiful one when Ralph Ballard passed peacefully on March 23, 2024, at Central Wyoming Hospice surrounded in love.  He was 67 years young. 

Ralph was born on March 22, 1957, in Stanford Kentucky, the youngest of 8 children. He is the son of Roxie and Coy Ballard.  Ralph’s childhood was spent with his siblings on the family farm in rural Kentucky.  

Ralph was a lover of people.  He was also a lover of adventure, good jokes, good bluegrass music and a lover of good hamburgers.  Ralph had a collection of harmonicas which he played daily and was invited to join the Fiddle Club in Casper Wyoming and he played with them periodically. 

In 1995 Kathleen, Ralphs sister wanted Ralph and his beloved mother Roxie to move to Casper to be nearer to her and her husband Tom Thorson. Ralph loved to travel with Kathleen and his mother to many places including camping with Tom. His favorite places to travel were trips to the family farm in Kentucky, trips to see his family in Florida and Arizona along with his many trips to Branson. In Branson Ralph would get pictures of many of the performers which he thoroughly enjoyed. 

Ralph was supported over the last two decades by his second family at I-REACH 2 (IR2) including many wonderful staff that took care of him around the clock, which he loved. Ralphs staff were trained specifically for communication due to Ralph being non-verbal. Ralph made a multitude of friends all through the Casper community. IR2 is grateful for Ralphs’ families’ consistent support and the opportunity to be a part of Ralph’s journey. He previously had jobs doing laundry for Shriver Therapy and assembling defense mechanisms for the US Military. A heartfelt project for both Tom and Kathleen have been IR2, which provides support for adults with developmental disabilities and brain injuries. In fact, Tom funded a brand-new building which was dedicated as The Ralph Ballard Academy when they opened the doors in January of 2018.

To know Ralph was indeed a privilege. He had an infectious smile and contagious laugh and a keen sense of humor.  The lives he impacted were many and we are all better people because of his presence.  

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Coy and Roxie Ballard, brother Wayland Ballard, sister Arla Jean Roberts, and brother-in-law Tom Thorson.  Ralph is survived by: Sister Kathleen Thorson of Casper, WY, Brother Donald Ballard (Carol) of Jacksonville FL, Sister Fay Losee (Jack) of Jacksonville FL, Sister Kay Ballard of Mesa AZ, and Brother Gary Ballard (Linda) of Stanford KY. In addition to his siblings, he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. 
 

Ralph’s family and IR2 invite you to a celebration of life on Saturday, April 20th at The Ralph Ballard Academy 351 N. Lennox from 1 to 4 pm.  There will not be an official service just a time to share stories, offer condolences and celebrate a life exceptionally lived.   In lieu of flowers, Ralph’s family requests memorials in his name be made to I-REACH 2 Inc.