Today is the day we celebrate the life of Mr. Terry Ballard. This man was called many things:

• Husband
• Father
• Granddaddy
• Banker
• Red Coat (Florida Strawberry Festival Director)
• Former mayor
• Entrepreneur
• History buff
• Patriotic Man
• The General
• And the list goes on…

I was honored to call him my friend and neighbor.
Most days one would find Terry sitting on his front porch, enjoying a cup of coffee, and either reading the newspaper or just observing the glory that God had given us that day. As I would drive past his home I would glance over to see if Terry was sitting in his chair so we could exchange waves. The other day when I drove by I couldn’t help but still glance towards where Terry would always sit, but this time the chair was empty. My heart ached for his precious family, yet it smiled knowing that Terry is probably posted up right next to Jesus now where He is seated.

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them (the disciples), He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19

Yea, I can just imagine them sitting there reminiscing about family, life, and history. Oh the history stories that Terry is listening to now. Wow!
The days after Terry’s passing I was able and honored to spend time with the family, helping in any way I could. I enjoyed listening to the conversations and hearing the words others would say about our friend.
It appeared that a common theme ran through each conversation as to how Mr. Ballard was describe. He was a voice of reason and a humble man of service. True, Terry definitely had a humble and servant’s heart.
Philippians 2:3-4 describes my neighbor perfectly, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Weaved throughout each conversation was the evidence of Terry desiring to do what was best for others, or for an organization. One Strawberry Festival director said that at their latest monthly board meeting Terry was the only one who voted against a certain agenda. He had no problem going against the grain, and gently spoke his reason for doing so. Why? Because he didn’t feel that it was the right thing to do for the people.
Mr. Ballard was a history buff. I believe that he was one that didn’t only know it, but applied it to his life. We are supposed to learn from history, and Terry was a man who would often make decisions based on how things had occurred previously in history. He learned from his and others mistakes and successes and was willing and ready to apply his knowledge to the future.

“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit,” Isaiah 66:2b

His daughter, Teresa, mentioned that her daddy lived out what the bible said about boasting:

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Terry was a humble man who was not one to boast about anything “he” had done.
Terry’s front porch chair wasn’t the only one he sat in. When he wasn’t busy serving the community you could find him sitting in his recliner at one of his businesses (Cross Pest Control). On a side table next to where Terry sat was a plaque that has the words that his daughter, Renita, said he lived by. Terry was a true Rotarian who honored “The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do”. It simply, yet powerfully reads:

First…Is it the TRUTH?

Second…Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Third…Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Fourth…Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

I believe we can all take a lesson from Terry and be humble, do not boast, serve others, and live honorably.
It is my prayer that my dear friends feel God’s arms wrapped around them and holding them up today and in the coming days. Daphne, Teresa, and Renita, your husband and father was a dear friend and watchful/giving neighbor to me. He has left a wonderful legacy behind in you and your children. Always remember the good times, and learn from the more difficult (that’s what Terry would have done). Treasure each word said about him. They are true.
Keep living each day fully with the assurance that you will see him again in heaven. He’ll be the one sitting in a chair, exchanging historical stories with Jesus, and waving to all who pass him by.

“As a mother comforts her child, so I’ll comfort you.” Isaiah 66:13a

Obituary for BG Terry O. Ballard
BG Terry O. Ballard, FLARNG (retired), 79, of Plant City, Florida, and born in Tampa on October 1, 1936, entered into eternal rest on June 22, 2016. He was a graduate of Plant City High School and the University of Tampa. He was a retired Brigadier General with the Florida Army National Guard, a retired banker with Hillsboro, SunTrust, and Wells Fargo banks, as well as an entrepreneur. Upon his death, he was owner of Cross Pest Control of Plant City, Clearwater and Bradenton, and current Florida Strawberry Festival Board member. His work career started with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, as Locomotive Engineer for nearly a decade. Over his lifetime, he served as Mayor of Plant City, Plant City Commissioner, Chairman of the Council of Governments, Past President of the Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City Rotary Club, and Polk Chapter of American Institute of Banking. He was a member of the Hillsborough County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, Tourist Development Council of Hillsborough County, Double Taxation Committee of Hillsborough County, Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization, Plant City Traffic Study Advisory Committee, I-75 Task Force, DACCO Board of Directors, Florida League of Cities, Hillsborough County Charter Review Board, and Plant City “101” Technical Advisory Committee. Terry was awarded the Plant City Jaycees Good Government Award, Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow, and past recipient of Plant City Family of the Year. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Plant City. Terry will be forever remembered as a kind-hearted, practical man with a servant’s soul always encouraging the best from all of us. Everyday was made better by his quick wit and sense of humor. Devoted to faith, family, friends, and goals, his quiet strength and words of wisdom will never be forgotten by those whose lives he touched. He was highly respected for his vast knowledge of Plant City history and community involvement. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 58 years, Daphne C. Ballard; daughters, Teresa Salo (Mike) and Renita Boles (Mitch) of Plant City; grandchildren, Cody Otis Boles, Claire Marie Salo, and Cali Jean Boles of Plant City; brothers, Ray Ballard (Sandra) of Murphy, North Carolina and Jerry Ballard (Patsy) of Plant City; aunt, Cora Herndon of Jacksonville, Alabama; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Nina Marie Ballard; and siblings, Nina Mae Ballard and Wayne Ballard. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 28 at 3:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Plant City, 503 N. Palmer Street, Plant City, where the family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 P.M. A committal with military honors will follow at Memorial Park, Plant City. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Plant City Noon Rotary Club Foundation/Scholarship Fund or United Food Bank of Plant City are requested. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.