David Michael Ballenger

David Michael

Ballenger

FLORENCE - David Michael Ballenger, known to all as Mike, and known by some as "Fos", passed away peacefully after a brief illness on January 17, 2024, at McLeod Hospice House.

Mike was born on June 29, 1947 in Greenville, SC, the only child of Elizabeth "Libby" Monroe and Charles David Ballenger. Mike spent his childhood and formative years in Charleston, SC and graduated St. Andrews High School in 1965.

Mike graduated from Clemson University in 1969 and was a proud Tiger. While at Clemson, Mike was a member of the Army ROTC for four years, and served in the highly distinctive role as a member of the Pershing Rifles Precision Drill team. He was commissioned in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant after active training in Texas.

Following his military service, he enrolled and was accepted into law school at the University of South Carolina. While not particularly proud of this Gamecock affiliation, he viewed it as a means to an end and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1972. Mike worked briefly for a law firm in Columbia before he was recruited by the Honorable Haigh Porter to move to Florence. He practiced law in Florence from 1974 until his retirement in 2014, a period of 40 years.

Mike met the love of his life, Laura Moore, while in Columbia and they were married for 51 years. Mike is survived by his wife, Laura and their wonderful children, Everett Guy Ballenger (Tara) and Elizabeth Mason Ballenger Chase (John), along with their grandchildren, Elizabeth "Libby" Jane Ballenger (13), Samuel "Sam" Guy Ballenger (12), Natalie Elizabeth Chase (12) and John "Jack" Ravenel Chase (10). Mike fiercely loved his family and there was nothing he would not do for them. Mike was predeceased by his parents and grandson, Matthew James Ballenger.

Mike had the benefit and good fortune of working with exceptional lawyers, whom he also considered friends. Mike's office was comprised of several firm styles and he worked with a number of lawyers throughout his 40 years of practice. Some of his colleagues went on to have esteemed careers serving as South Carolina Supreme Court Justice, South Carolina Circuit Court Judge, South Carolina Special Referee and United States District Court judge. Mike had a passion for spending an abundance of time and creating a personal connection with his clients well beyond their legal cases. His fellow attorneys had much respect for Mike and the "life coach" sessions he had with his clients. All who knew him well had an appreciation for his ability to connect to others through his entertaining storytelling. Mike was recognized by his colleagues shortly after his retirement by being awarded the Ralph King Anderson, Jr. award, a recognition for distinguished service in the practice of law and betterment of the community. This award is bestowed by the Florence County Bar Association and is local to Florence County.

Mike spent much of his free time during the last 20 years of his life at his family farm located in Cartersville, SC, where he enjoyed being outdoors and riding his tractor. He has always enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially dove hunting. Mike was widely well known and popular in the dove field. He displayed many colorful and animated reactions in the event of a failed attempt at shooting a dove, and his verbal communication and expression rose to the point of poetry at times.

Mike and his family were active members of Central United Methodist Church in Florence.

Funeral services will be held 4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Central United Methodist Church, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Burial in Mount Hope Cemetery will be private.

A special thanks to Betty Ham (caregiver), The Manor and McLeod Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church in Florence, SC.