Dennis James Ballard

Dennis James Ballard 70 of Marion Passed away on September 12, 2021.
Dennis was born February 28, 1951 in Marion, Ohio, to the late James R. Ballard and Betty Marie Ballard.
Dennis attended The School for the Blind in Columbus, Ohio, where he learned to read Braille, how to count money, and some wood crafting, making a footstool out of a log, which his sister still has. However, he didn’t like to be away from home all week, so he quit at age 16.
Dennis was well known as “The Blind Guy That Fixes TVs.”
His dad was a TV repairman, and Dennis liked to tinker with the family’s tv and take it apart, so after many trips Dad made to his shop in the garage, he decided he would teach Dennis to put them back together. To Dad’s surprise, Dennis caught on quickly and became very good at it. When word got around about the Blind Guy That Fixes TVs, the Marion Star interview him, and when asked, “How do you know what numbers on the tube you need?”, he said, “I hold it to my ear and flick it with my finger and it makes a sound, and Dad would tell me what number it was and I memorized the sound to that number.” After Dad passed, Dennis spent most of his days in that garage, always coming in at the end the day with money in his pocket.
Dennis made a lot of friends over the years. When he wasn’t working on TVs, he would ride his motorcycle up and down the drive, which he also tinkered with, but he would always get the motor put back together.
Dennis attended MARCA workshop for a few years and loved talking to people there and going out for coffee with Derek Janson. He enjoyed singing, playing country music CDs, car rides and McDonald’s iced coffee.
Dennis was his parents’ firstborn and entered this world 3 months early. Mom was told he wouldn’t live over a few hours. You never could tell Dennis he can’t do something, because he will prove you wrong, so he became the first baby at Marion General to survive that premature. Treatment saving him cause him to lose his sight, but what a small price to pay for having this amazing guy in our lives for 70 years. 

Dennis was Preceded in Death by his Parents Janes and Betty Ballard, A Sister Julieann Ballard and Brother Rodney Ballard He is survived by 2 Sisters Debby(Elmer}Russell, Sheila Jones, Brother Danny Ballard Nieces Sonya(Jim Rankin) Tammy(John Weaver)Kimberly Russell(Ted Smith) great Nieces and Nephews Julie, Breanna, Raivyn, Willow, Kylie, Riley, Morgan, Nicole, Mac, Bub, Thomas ,Cory, Austin Alex, John , John Parker. And many more. And to Kim Russell and Many other of the Special caretakers he had.

Those that wish to make a donation to Honor Dennis, may make it to The Wyandot County Humane Society at 9640 County Highway 330,Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351 in Dennis name. 419-294-4477 Dennis beloved 14 yr old dog, Baby, with the help of the Hope Center crossed over on August 21 2021. 

Pastor Nathan McBeth will be officiating and the Boyd funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family of Dennis in their time of need.

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