Earl Martin Ballou

Earl’s life began on January 10, 1939, in Lincoln, Nebraska – on November 23, 2023, Earl shed his earthly pain at St Joseph’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ

Earl was born to parents Otis and Marie and was the apple of their eye. Earl was blessed to have his Grandpa Emor living with them as well. Their relationship was absolutely magical.  Much to his parent’s chagrin, it was chock-full of spoiling and rule breaking.

After graduation from Ashland High School, Earl continued the family tradition of farming.  Little did he know that farming experience would kick off a long, successful career in Agriculture related sales upon his retirement from farming in 1968.

In 1987, Earl married Janet, the love of his life. They enjoyed life in the Okoboji/Iowa lakes area where he became the Purchasing Manager for Cycle Country. Upon their retirement, they had many adventures and the best times of their lives together traveling in their fifth wheel trailer. They then transitioned to an Arizona Park model home and finally to their current home in Mesa, Arizona. Earl and Janet were able to enjoy 22 years of retirement together in sunny Arizona during the winter months, and time at the lake during the summer months, completing Earl’s dream of never having to see snow fly again in his lifetime.

Earl was unbelievably clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained throughout his life experiences. He was a Jack of all trades and a master of all of them. He loved building – remodeling, building additions – he loved it all (especially his titanium hammer) and also had a passion for good, classic, fast cars.

Earl was an extremely accomplished Trap shooter, winning many awards. His shooting career started at the ripe age of five when his Grandpa Emor introduced him to shooting cans off fence posts – just one example of the spoiling and rule breaking. Earl was a lifetime member of the American Trap Association shooting over 50,000 registered targets with over 93% accuracy. Additionally, he made sure any and all of his daughters suitors were fully aware of his shooting accomplishments and accuracy.

Earl had a knack for telling it like it is and not holding back his opinion with a splash of stubbornness thrown in for good measure. He also had a wicked sense of humor and told the absolute best stories – most were probably true.

Left with a lifetime of fond and colorful memories are his wife, Janet, daughter, Darlene Cavender (Ken Cavender) of Lee’s Summit, MO, bonus son Mark Bryant (Kay Bryant) of Chaska, MN and bonus daughter Jill Hambley (Jay Hambley) of South Hadley, MA.

Besides his parents, Earl was pre-deceased by his sister, Jeanine Goodfellow and daughter, Jeanine Morales.

Earl relished his role as Dad, continuing the Ballou spoil/rule breaking tradition. He later became known as the best Papa ever to Kim McNerney (Tom McNerney) of Blue Springs, MO, Kate Lammers (Matt Lammers) of Kearney, MO, Emily Kirschenblatt (Justin Kirschenblatt) of Edina, MN,  Kelly Bryant of Chicago, IL, McKenna Hambley (Boston, MA), Cole Hambley (South Hadley, MA), Lauren Pitnick (Richard Pitnick) of Parkville, MO and hopes that he taught at least one of them to cuss properly. He was additionally blessed with five great-grandchildren, Reagan, Mason, Maddox, Ava and Brooks.

Earl leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends who were always entertained by his stories and quirky sense of humor. There is so much more that should be said, but in the end, what he did was make our world so very much brighter.

Our heartfelt thanks to St. Joseph’s hospital for the incredible care, kindness and compassion shown to Earl while he was there.