Paul Ballard

Paul Thompson Ballard, 68, died June 22, 2023, in Moses Lake, Washington, after a two-year battle with gastric cancer.

Paul is survived by his beloved basset hound Charlie; his mother Anne Ballard of Moses Lake, Washington; sister Betsy (Gary) Bjorklund of Moses Lake, Washington; brother Mark (Cindy) Ballard of Moses Lake, Washington; sister Barbara Gillick of Windsor Colorado; niece Jamie (Michael) Olson of Moses Lake, Washington; nephews Brian (Carley) Bjorklund of Cashmere, Washington, Jordan Ballard of Pullayup, Washington, Brent Ballard of Everett, Washington; Timothy (Bianca) Sellers of Severance, Colorado and Mitchell (Kitty) Sellers of Shawnee, Kansas; numerous great-nieces and -nephews; cousins; his extended family; and numerous lifelong friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Ballard.

Paul was born and raised in Moses Lake, Washington. Paul graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1973. After high school graduation, he attended Big Bend Community College, participating in the welding program. Paul continued to call Moses Lake his hometown for the majority of his adult life. As a teen/young adult, Paul worked at farm management in Moses Lake. As an adult, Paul worked at McCain Foods in Othello and Columbia Colstor in Quincy where he was a forklift operator. Paul retired from Columbia Colstor in late 2018.

Paul loved to travel and went to several of the Hawaiian Islands as well as several cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico the Panama Canal and Alaska. Paul made several trips to visit the McQuaides, his New Jersey family. Upon retirement, Paul traveled to Scotland and Ireland through the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, one of his bucket list trips. Paul's ultimate bucket list trip was traveling to Australia and New Zealand. Paul had the trip of a lifetime all booked in January 2023 and sadly became ill a few days before his departure.

Paul loved golfing and would go whenever he had the opportunity. Paul also loved to snowmobile in the winter with family and friends. Paul kept active by walking daily with his dog Charlie. He took up fishing after retirement as well.

Paul was a "Parrot Head" and enjoyed Jimmy Buffet. He was fortunate to see him in concert at Red Rocks in Colorado.

Paul cherished time with his family and friends. Paul was involved in everyone's life and always interested in what everyone was doing.

Paul didn't know a stranger. He was a friend to all. Paul was a storyteller to all who would listen and will be remembered not only for his tall tales but the sense of humor that went along with them.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to Assured Hospice of Moses Lake and Adult Family Center in Moses Lake for the care, kindness, and compassion they showed Paul and the family over the last days of his life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. A celebration of Paul's life will be held at a later date.

Please express your thoughts and memories at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories of Moses Lake, Washington.