Jimmie William Balster

Jimmie William Balster was born on October 5, 1945 in Wichita Falls, TX, the first born of five sons to Theodore and Kathryne Balster. He grew up in Shelby, Iowa, working on his father's farm and terrorizing opponents on the hardcourt and gridiron before attending the University of South Dakota. It is there he met the love of his life, Kathleen Nearman. They married on March 22, 1969. Jim enjoyed a long career working with United Parcel Service, growing a family and winding across states, settling in Connecticut. Jim and Kathy completed their family of five kids and made lifelong friends that they embraced and cherished. He and the family relocated with the company to Atlanta, Georgia in 1992.

He was often called a gentle giant because of his big stature but even bigger heart, demonstrated by the great joy he found in spending time with his children and grandchildren, and often putting others before himself. Jim was active in his local church, sharing his voice by singing in the choir, performing in theatrical plays and musicals, and helped found the National Museum of Patriotism.

After grieving the loss of his wife, Kathy, Jim met Paula Ellen and they married in December 2011. They made their home in Cumming, Georgia before moving to Florida where they enjoyed time with their dogs and being closer to Paula's family. Paula lovingly cared for him as his health declined in recent years. He was called home on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.

Those left to carry on Jim's legacy of abundant love and laughter are his wife Paula; his daughters, Jennifer (Dirk) Graves of Anderson, SC, Elysia (Roger) Gallivan of Cumming, GA, and Erin (Chris) Wang of Dunwoody, GA; his sons, James (Misty) Balster of Gulf Shores, AL, and Patrick (Chrissy) Balster of Lafayette Hills, PA; his twelve grandchildren: Rebekah, Daniel, and Aidan Graves; Bridget, Joseph, and Padraig Gallivan; Aidan and Logan McMahon; Julia and Christopher Wang; Griffin and Koller Balster; and his brothers Steven (Sherry), Larry (Gretchen), Kennon (Kate), and David (Barbara) Balster.

Catholic mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 5, 2023 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association and National Hospice Foundation.