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Robert Balloon Obituary

BALLOON, ROBERT DEAN



Robert Dean Balloon, 28, of Gainesville, Florida passed away Saturday, April 5, 2008 in Gainesville. He was Vice President of NBC Securities in Gainesville, where he served as an Investment Advisor for Millennium Bank. He also was a member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville.



Rob was born on January 22, 1980 in Winter Park, Florida. He graduated with an International Baccalaureate Diploma from Eastside High School in 1998. At Eastside, Rob played Varsity Soccer for 4 years. Following high school Rob attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland where he played Varsity Soccer. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida in 2003.



Rob was predeceased by his grandfather, Winfred Hazen, of Gainesville. He is survived by his parents, Susan and Don Balloon, of Gainesville, his brother Tony and his wife Shannon and their son Grayson of Brussels, Belgium, and his brother Scott and his Fiancée Lauren Anderson of Jacksonville, Florida. He is also survived by grandparents Ruth Hazen, of Gainesville, and Doris and William Balloon, of Wooster, Ohio.



Burial will be private and a memorial service for friends will be held in May.



In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Florida Building Fund, 425 West University Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32601, or a charity of your choice.



MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES 311 S. Main Street Gainesville, Fl. 32601 (352) 376 5361.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Gainesville Sun from Apr. 10 to Apr. 11, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Balloon

Not sure what to say?





Lauren Barnes

May 30, 2008

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I went to middle and high school with Rob and remember him being such a good, outgoing, positive guy.

Clifford Gordon, Jr.

May 28, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with Rob's family in this difficult time. Rob was a dear friend that I went to Eastside with and I will truly miss him.

Tracy (Hord) Lawlor

May 26, 2008

To the Balloon Family,
I will always remember the closeness our families shared when I was young, and I have considered it a privilege to have known your family. I know that like so many others, it is a shock to have heard of Robby passing away. My heart is grieving for your family. Please know that I am praying for you, and asking God to bathe you in his presence during this time of saddness. May the Lord give you peace like you have never known, and comfort and strength in the days ahead.
Love to you all,
Tracy Hord

Katie Spring (McDaniel)

May 20, 2008

To the Balloon Family,
My brother, sister & I grew up in Foxfire and have many fond memories of your family. I was shocked to read the news about Robby. You are all in my thoughts & prayers.

Andreas Zori

May 1, 2008

Balloon Family,
My deepest condolences to all of you. Growing up I always looked up to Rob and I can't express how saddened I am to hear of his passing. I can only take comfort in remembering how he lived and the positive impact he had on me and everyone who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with.

Kane Wei

April 30, 2008

To the Balloon Family:

I am sorry about your loss. I was a teammate of Rob's at Eastside, and always respected him for his work ethic that he showed on and off the field.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Brian Murphy

April 28, 2008

I was deeply saddened to find out about the passing of Rob today. I'll never forget upon my wishing him good luck for an upcoming soccer game, he commented "Yeah, I might even score a point or two"

Being the goalie, he had a tremendous amount of respect and confidence in his fellow teammates.

We'll miss your illuminating personality and your bright outlook on life, Rob.

Sibile, Harry, Eric and Leah Knot

April 25, 2008

Susan and Don,

Still reeling from the news this morning we read it now, officially, in the paper. How fragile life is...you are in our thoughts! Our deepest sympathy to you both, Tony and family and Scott and his new wife. Much love from your former neighbors

Kristin Herrington

April 21, 2008

I am shocked and heartbroken that Gainesville has lost another bright light. Rob had a great sense of humor and he was always so much fun to be around. He was certainly one of a kind! My heartfelt condolences go out to the Balloon family.

Nate Kirkman

April 17, 2008

It was a privilege to have known Rob as a teammate and a friend. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. He will be truly missed.

David Brumbaugh

April 17, 2008

Balloon Family,

My years spent playing soccer with Rob were some of the finest to date. Know that he lives in the hearts and memories of all those fortunate enough to know him.

Sharon Frederick

April 16, 2008

I am extremely saddened by this news. I am so sorry for your loss. Rob was part of the Lloyd Clarke family for some time. I could always count on his smile. I am so glad that I got to see him again and see the wonderful man he became.

Nicole Dolan

April 15, 2008

I am so sorry to hear of Rob's passing and my thoughts and prayers go out to you during this tough time. Rob and I worked together at Lloyd's briefly during college and though it had been years since I saw him last, I will always remember him as a sweet and funny guy.

Jamye Lanning Duncan

April 15, 2008

Dear Balloon Family,

Hollis and I always had such fond memories of your sweet Robby. You have our love and prayers.

Jimmy Link

April 15, 2008

My guy Rob will be missed...It seems like just the other day we were in the pool in the valley playing and playing basketball to game point...He was my boy...I will miss you...thanks...

Betsy Jones

April 14, 2008

Susan, Don & family, I was so sorry to hear about Rob's passing. Please know that Larry and I will keep you and yours in our prayers during this difficult time. I can't begin to conceive of your great sorrow. Love,

Kacey Dobbs-Anderson

April 14, 2008

I am extremely sorry for your loss of Rob. I couldn't believe it when I heard. All of you are in my thoughts & prayers throughout this difficult time. You're such a strong family & I have faith that God will lead you through this, although it's so very tragic. God bless you all.

Nancy Hunter

April 14, 2008

To Rob,
Heaven must surely have been in need of a great soul to have needed you there so soon. Though your death has left a loss in the heart of many, your life has left the world a better place. You were an admirable and honorable human being and man. I thank you for being the best 1st love, and then friend, a mother could ever dream of for her daughter. You will be missed and remembered with love. My heart goes out to your family and friends.

Lori and David Maxwell

April 13, 2008

Dear Susan, Don and Scott,

Please accept our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Mikael and Kathleen have always spoken so highly of Rob. He will be deeply missed.

Ted Belser

April 13, 2008

I learned of Rob's death today at church. It seems like only a short time ago that our boys were teammates on the EHS soccer team with Rob as goalkeeper making those extraordinary plays. It was a great experience for us all. They all were such a great group of boys who have now become men. Please know that our family is thinking of yours in this time of loss. As a Christian I know that our time on earth is limited, but our time in heaven has no end. I pray that God will bless your family and give you peace in this time of grief.

Stephen Belser

April 13, 2008

I am stunned by the loss of Rob. I enjoyed the time i spent playing soccer with him throughout high school. He was a leader on the field helped me become a better player. I will always remember seeing you all this past Christmas and will keep your family in my prayers. I will truely miss him.

Lisa (Jarrell) Lundy

April 12, 2008

I am so sorry for your loss. My heartfelt prayers are with your entire family at this time.

Rita and Robert Lee

April 12, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Clayton & Melissa Boyette

April 11, 2008

We are profoundly saddened by your loss. Rob was a good man and friend. Your family will be in our prayers.

Cody Hunter Galloway

April 11, 2008

The Balloon Family, Please know your family is in my thoughts. It's wonderful reading about how Rob touched so many people's lives. He was amazing, and we were lucky to have him for as long as we did. I will miss my best friend.

Sarah Van Dyke

April 11, 2008

My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Brooke and Chris James

April 11, 2008

I was so grieved for you and your family when I heard of your tragedy! I have been so heavy hearted and wanted you to know how earnestly I am seeking God for you.

John, Rita, Joe and Kate Sutherland

April 11, 2008

Such sad times bring fond memories. Planning Cub Scout meetings at your house. Boys club basketball. May the memories of good times bring some comfort to you at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Bejie Wilson

April 11, 2008

We are so very sorry for your loss. We are lifting you up to Jesus in prayer and asking that He wrap His loving arms around you and carry you through.

Blake Bishop

April 11, 2008

Rob, you will be greatly missed by those of us who had the pleasure of knowing you. You were a great friend and an even better person. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

Lisa & Mike Skowfoe

April 11, 2008

Our hearts go out to your family. Although we had only known Rob for the past year, he has left a lasting impression on our family. We all loved Rob very much and are grateful for the time we spent together - especially on our wedding day in Sonoma Valley, California.

Kerri Burden

April 11, 2008

Balloon Family
Myself and my sister (Robyn Lee) were in choir and handbells with Rob and Tony, and we enjoyed many tours together. I was deeply saddened to hear about Rob and our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. He will truely be missed.

Robyn DeSha

April 11, 2008

Susan, Don, Tony & Scott,
Rob was such a good person, I loved him like a brother and a best friend. You raised a good son, a Man of God and a loyal friend. There are no words to describe the saddness and loss that we all feel. Trust in God to deliver you peace and strength and know that we will all see him again one day. I love you all and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Danielle Black

April 11, 2008

Rob was my brother's best friend and the brother he never had. From the few times I met him I could tell he was an amazing and charismatic man with a smile that would light up the entire room. I will be praying for everyone during this time of tremendous sadness.

Lambert and Roberta Vaes

April 11, 2008

Don, Susan, Scott and Tony,

Flemish nor English can describe my pain, but I hope I can lift a little bit of your pain off your shoulders by letting you know that my family is praying and keeping Rob in our hearts, thoughts and prayers at all time. He truly always was like a big brother not just to Kathleen and Mikael, but to all the young and old people that he touched and grew up with in Gainesville, on and off the soccer fields. A remarkable young man who will never be forgotten and who has engraved my heart until the end of time. Rob, the Lord just drafted one heck of an athlete to be on his team.

Tiffany Hudgins

April 11, 2008

Mr. and Mrs. Balloon, Tony and Scott,
My heart aches for your family. Rob has been such a special friend to me - and seen me through so many good times and bad times. I will miss him very much as I know you will as well. He truly was one of the best friends I have ever had, and a wonderful person that made a difference in the lives of others. I have so many fond memories that I am grateful we were able to share!
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
All my Love,
Tiffany Hudgins

Amanda McCollum

April 11, 2008

Soo sorry to hear about Rob. My grandmother and sister told me abuot him yesterday. I will keep your family in my prayers. I remember our FBC youth choir trips together like it was yesterday.

Ryan McLaughlin

April 10, 2008

I'm very sorry for your loss. Rob was a great person that we will all miss.

Chris and Valerie Westrick

April 10, 2008

We are so sorry for your loss. Rob was a wonderful person and a great friend. All who knew him are saddened by his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and with Rob.

Carol Irvin

April 10, 2008

Susan and family,

Our family has your family in our prayers. We don't understand how somrthing like this can happen but trust in God and he'll bring you through these dark days.
Love to all.

Your cousin,
Carol Anne Boyles Irvin

Rob Sanderson

April 10, 2008

Rob has always and will always hold a special place in my heart. We knew each other at a special time for all of us, and I will never forget him. I'm devastated and so sorry for your loss. I hope you know how special he was to so many of us. We've all discovered that these last several days. May God bless you.

John, Carrie, Carson, Henri and Maci Peet

April 10, 2008

We are so very sorry to hear about Rob's passing. He was a dear friend to my brother in law Michael Black and my sister Amy. I had the pleasure of getting to know him through them. You all are in our thoughts and prayers through this most difficult time.

Michael Vaes

April 10, 2008

"Just because we are now seperated in body, EVERYTHING is only temporary, life is a blink of an eye, we will all be together again soon in Heaven." When my dad told me I went into shock and started crying. Rob was always the best of all the older brothers on the team and I looked up to him most out of all of them. I never told him that but not only was he the best athlete but he was a good person. He never acted better than us, even though he was.

Amy Black

April 10, 2008

Rob was an amazing person and great friend. He will surely be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family and friends as they cope with this tremendous loss.

Mike Boles

April 10, 2008

Susan and family: God bless each of you in this difficult time. You will be in our prayers.

Mike and Lila Boles
Tallahassee

Mike Black

April 10, 2008

I am deeply sorry for your loss. Rob was the best friend that I have ever had. Hopefully we can rely on each other to get through this tragedy. I love Rob and he will be forever missed. I take comfort knowing that he knew how much we loved him.

Mary Lynn Pritchard

April 10, 2008

Susan & Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Julie conoly

April 10, 2008

I'm so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers during this difficult time. If there is anything I can do to help, I hope you will let me know. God Bless you.

Daniel Burney

April 10, 2008

From one Eastside grad. to another, you all have my deepest sympathy for your tremendous lost. Your family will be in my prayers.

God Bless,
Daniel (Eastside High C/O '99)

Marcia Martin

April 10, 2008

Susan and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I can only imagine. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Love, Marcia Kay

Victoria Balloon

April 10, 2008

We are all deeply saddened by this loss and are thinking of you at this time.

Britt Purdy

April 10, 2008

No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.

Bubba Phillips

April 10, 2008

I am so sorry for your loss

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