Jerry "Popeye" Eldon Ballard

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerry “Popeye” Eldon Ballard, 90, of White Deer. He passed on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 9:36 pm, in his home with his son Kerry Ballard and daughter-in law Kim by his side.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date with close family members present. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Jerry was born in Pampa, and attended school in White Deer, where he was raised and later met and married his wife Vivian Riggins Ballard. They were married for 61 years until she passed on July 12, 2023.

Jerry also went by the name of “Popeye”, which was given to him by his grandchildren. He spent his life doing what he loved most, working the land. He was a dedicated crop farmer who grew wheat, milo, corn, and soybeans. He took great pride in every season, especially harvest time. He loved farming and worked every day of his life up until the last 4 months.

In his younger years, in the 1970’s and 80’s, Jerry would load up his 4 Massey Ferguson combines, his grain trucks and pickup trucks, along with his family and his hired crew, and head to south Texas to harvest the wheat. He worked his way back up to White Deer to harvest his own wheat crops and to also help his friends with their harvest. After harvest in the White Deer area was completed, he would head north with his family and crew to harvest wheat in every state between Texas and Canada. These were some of his favorite years. He loved to tell stories about the adventures of harvesting wheat in different states and all the different people he met. The harvest season was something he looked forward to each year and gave him deep satisfaction and joy.

More than anything he cherished the time spent working with his only son, Kerry. The two were not just father and son, but partners-side by side in the fields, working on the equipment, and in life. Their bond was evident to all who knew them and they were rarely apart and shared a deep connection built on hard work, trust, love, and honesty.

Jerry will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his honesty, willingness to help others, and the peace and fulfillment he found in farm life. His legacy lives on in the land he cared for and in his family he loved so deeply.

Survivors include his son, Kerry Eldon Ballard and wife Kim of White Deer; daughter, Therelena Meeks Mitchell of Panglao, Bohol, Philippines; 4 grandchildren, Clinton Ryan Meeks of Panglao, Bohol, Philippines, Zach Wade Ballard and wife Mandi of Panhandle, Trevor Wayne Ballard and wife Andrea of Panhandle, and Carissa Danielle Turner and husband Chris of Pearland; 8 great-grandchildren, Leighton, Kaylee, and Chloe Ballard, daughters of Zach and Mandi; Rylee and Audrey Ballard, daughters of Trevor and Andrea; Liam, Waylon, and Beau Turner, sons of Carissa and Chris; a brother Jerald Ballard of Corpus Christi; and a sister Joyce Curbo of Brownwood.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Vivian “Meme” Riggins Ballard; his father, Leonard McKinley Ballard; his mother Gladys Nona Osborne Ballard; his step mother, Laura Osborne Ballard; his brothers Gene Donald Ballard, and Ross Leonard Ballard; his long time hired man Eddie Raverty who was like a member of the family; and his mother-in-law Lorene Riggins Travis who he loved just like a mother.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the Interim Home Care and Hospice team in Pampa for their expertise, attention, kindness, and sensitivity given to Jerry and the family through this journey.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Interim Healthcare of Pampa at 2217 Perryton Pkwy., Pampa, TX, 79065 or to the Rae of Sunshine Scholarship Fund at @Raeof-Sunshine on Venmo or 2137 N. Banks, Pampa, TX, 79065.