James W. Ballard, 69, of Wright, WY, passed away on Saturday October 1st 2016, from complications following emergency surgery earlier in the week.

Jim, as he was known by friends and family, was born in Butte, MT on March 13th 1947. Jim grew up in Butte and graduated high school in 1965 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Montana in 1970.

After graduation he went to work for the Anaconda Company in Butte. In 1984 he transferred to Wright, WY and worked at the Black Thunder Coal mine. After working at Black Thunder Jim went on to self-publish several books. Later in his career he drove van for several companies in the Powder River Basin transporting rail crews.

Jim met his wife of 47 years, Cheryl Stuart, in 1967 while home from the University for the summer. They dated for two years and married in August 1969. Jim and Cheryl enjoyed a long and love filled life together. Jim and Cheryl were blessed with two sons, Justin and Jesse, and enjoyed traveling around the state following them from one sporting event to another throughout their high school careers. His love to travel and spend time with family continued on in his later years with annual vacations with all of the grandkids. Jim was an avid bird hunter and looked forward to both duck and pheasant seasons every year.

Jim is survived by his wife Cheryl; sons Justin and Jesse; grandson Andrew; granddaughters Katherine and Molly; daughter in-laws, Renee and Laurel; sister Bonnie and brother-in-law Ed Yeo; and sister-in-law Carolyn Sanders. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Teddy and James Kelsey Ballard.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 10th, at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Wright, WY, at 1pm with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Ducks Unlimited (ducks.org), which is a conservation organization that Jim praised and supported throughout his life, or a charity of their choice.