Mayor Rev. Dr. James E. Ballard

Memorial services for Mayor Rev. Dr. James Elmer Ballard, age 67, of Lindale are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Friday, May 16, 2008 in the Cross Brand Cowboy Church located at 11915 FM 2015, Tyler, Texas 75708 with Pastor Mike Morrow, Rev. Charles Geller, Rev. Tommy Lyles, Chaplain Wes McDuffie, & Chaplain Harold Elliott officiating. Mayor Ballard died Saturday, May 10, 2008 in a Tyler hospital. He was born in Denver, Colorado on September 17, 1940 and moved to Douglassville, TX in 1984 and later to Tyler in 1990 and then to Lindale in 2000. Rev. Dr. James E. Ballard has been serving as the Mayor of Lindale since May 2006. Dr. Ballard pastored First United Methodist Churches in Colorado and Texas for 27 years before retiring in 2006. He has been serving as the Senior Chaplain for the Tyler Police Department since 1995; along with serving as Chaplain for the Lindale Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Dr. Ballard is a Certified Master Chaplain with the International Conference of Police Chaplains where he also serves as the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee and the Regional Treasurer for the South Central Region. Dr. Ballard is actively involved with the Tyler Police Department and their community relations program and has served on many civic committees for the betterment of his community. Dr. Ballard currently serves on the Board of the Children's Advocacy Center, Board of the East Texas Council of Governments and Vice President of the Texas Municipal League. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason- Highlands Lodge #86, and a Shriner with the El Jebel Shrine, both in Denver, Colorado. A Past Patron of Fern Chapter #94 Order of the Eastern Star and a Member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. James received his seminary education from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri graduating in 1986 and then in 1989 he graduated with honors from the Texarkana Community College in Texarkana, Texas with an Associate Degree in Psychology, where he was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Fraternity. He earned his Bachelors Degree in 1991 and his Masters Degree in 1993 from the University of Biblical Studies in Bethany, Oklahoma and in 1995 Dr. Ballard earned his Ph.D. with high honors from the American Bible College and Seminary in Bethany, Oklahoma. Dr. Ballard received his Ordination as Deacon from the Texas Annual Conference in Houston, Texas in 1989 and then as Elder in 1994. From 1982-1984 he served the Kirk United Methodist Church and Idalia United Methodist Church in Colorado and then from 1984-1990 he served the Douglassville United Methodist Church and the Union Chapel United Methodist Church in Douglassville, Texas. In 1990 he came to St. Paul United Methodist Church in Tyler and in 2000 moved to Lindale First United Methodist Church until retirement. Dr. Ballard is also a graduate of the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy and was a Certified Peace Officer in the State of Colorado for 10 years. He has also served his community as a paramedic, fireman and manager of Wells Fargo Armored Car ATM Division. Dr. Ballard has served as Chaplain of the Day for the Texas Legislature, Chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, Chaplain of the Douglassville Volunteer Fire Department, President of the Wesley Foundation at Tyler Junior College, President of the Greater Atlanta Area Ministerial Alliance in Atlanta, Texas, President of the Tyler Ministerial Alliance, President of the Lindale Ministerial Alliance, Vice-President of the Smith County Children's Advocacy Center, Committee Chairman for Human Needs Day, Leadership Tyler Chamber of Commerce 1997, Committee Chair for the ICPC Regional Training Seminar 1998, Committee Chair for Justice Day, Leadership Tyler Chamber of Commerce 2002, Board Member of Opportunities in Tyler and Board Member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains. Dr. Ballard has also served on committees and been a participant in organizations such as St. Paul Children's Foundation Board, Shalom Zone for the United Methodist Church, Hispanic Committee for the Texas Conference of the U.M.C., Committee on Religion and Race for the Texas Conference of the U.M.C., P.A.T.H. 10th Anniversary Celebration, Justice Day Committee 2001 for Leadership Tyler, National Day of Prayer, Curriculum Committee for Leadership Tyler, Tyler Against Graffiti, Advisory Committee for Trinity Mother Frances Task Force North Tyler Health Center, Hospice Team of Trinity Mother Frances Home Care, Graduate of Leadership Tyler, Class X (Chamber of Commerce), Graduate of the 1st Citizen's Police Academy Tyler Police Department 1996, Graduate of the 1st Hispanic Cultural Class Tyler Police Department 1996, Graduate of the Leadership Foundation of New East Texas 1997 and numerous Church Committees and Boards. Dr. Ballard has also received many awards and recognitions which include the Ken Ashlock Award for Excellence in Chaplaincy 2007, Tyler Police Department Volunteer of the Year 1995, 2001 & 2005, Tyler Police Department KTBB Volunteer of the Day 1996, 2004 & 2007, Tyler Police Department Certificate of Merit 2003, Tyler Police Certificate of Civic Achievement 2004, Tyler Police Department Police commendation 2005, Presidential Coin from the International Conference of Police Chaplains 2003, Tyler Morning Telegraph Angels Among Us 2000, Tyler Morning Telegraph Angels of Comfort 2004, Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Non-Violent Social Change 2001, Bishop's Award for Evangelism 1991, Biblical Scholar Award?American Bible Society 1995, Teacher of the Year Award for the Tyler District Texas Conference of the U. M. C. 1996, Excellence in Hispanic Ministry Texas Conference of the U. M. C. 1996, Recipient of a Proclamation from the City of Tyler 1995, Certificates of Appreciation from the Civil Air Patrol 1996, Glenda M. Bandy Distinguished Alumni Award Leadership Tyler 2001. Dr. Ballard was preceded in death by his father, Elmer W. Slaughter; sister, Geraldine Scott; and Grandson, Aric Ballard. Dr. Ballard is survived by his dear Wife of 30 years, Diane Ballard of Lindale who is employed by the Tyler Police Department in the Crime Scene Unit; 3 Sons & Daughters-in-law, Timothy & Debbie of Golden, Colorado; Joshua & Shelly of Arlington, Texas; and Jeremiah & Amanda of Tyler; 6 Grandchildren, Zachariah, Michael, Timothy, Jr., Elizabeth, Seth and Elijah; Mother, Ruth Chapman of Lakewood, Colorado; a Brother, Louis Chapman of Brighton, Colorado, numerous Nieces and Nephews, and a host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Chief Dan Somes, Trooper Chris Callaway, Officer Harold Snyder, Officer Clint Gardner, Officer D. G. Cook, & Sgt. Darin Grissom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Children's Foundation, 1358 E. Richards Street, Tyler, Texas 75702 or to the Children's Advocacy Center, 2210 Frankston Highway, Tyler, Texas 75701.

Mayor Rev. Dr. James E. Ballard

September 17, 1940 - May 10, 2008