John Franklin Ballard, Sr., 80, of Dawsonville, died Friday, June 13, 2008 at Embracing Hospice following an extended illness. Mr. Ballard was born Nov. 15, 1927 in Kernersville, N.C. to the late William Pinkney Ballard and Sarah Iddings Ballard. After graduating from Kernersville High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served two years of active duty. John attended Guilford College at Greensboro, N.C., Towson State University of Baltimore and received a degree in Transportation from LaSalle University. He first worked for Overnight Trucking Company in Winston-Salem, N.C. before starting a career with Western Electric Company in 1958. He transferred to New Mexico in 1963 where he and his family spent one year during the installation of the Nike Zeus Missile project. They then transferred to Baltimore, Md. in 1965 when he became Resident Transportation Supervisor. In 1970 the family moved to Atlanta when he became Resident Transportation and later Purchasing and Transportation Manager for AT&T and remained in that position until retirement in 1984. After retiring, he became Executive Vice President of Peachtree Corners Travel Agency and remained in that position until the company was sold. He then joined his wife in the antique business until 1997 when they moved to their home on Lake Lanier in Dawson County. He and his wife became active with the Chamber of Commerce as Ambassadors as well as becoming involved with several local clubs and charities. On July 1, 1949 he married Peggy Jean Hester, his loving wife of 58 years, who survives him along with sons and daughter-in-law, John F., Jr. and Bonnie Ballard of Woodstock, Mark H. Ballard of Dawsonville; granddaughter, Julia Ballard of Woodstock; various other relatives also survive. Memorial services will be held in Kernersville, N.C. at a later date. Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.
John Franklin Ballard, Sr.
