Frederick Clayton Ballou

Frederick Clayton Ballou, affectionately known as Fred, was born on Christmas Day 1955 in Petoskey, Michigan, and passed on November 27, 2023. A dedicated family man and humble servant of the Lord, Fred was an inspiring and supportive pillar in his community. His love for his family, friends, and faith radiated through his actions and words. As the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Fred embodied this verse, not only as a father and grandfather, but also as a dedicated Sunday school teacher at the Capitol City Baptist Church, where he was a member for over 50 years.
Fred was a proud graduate of the Baptist Bible College, with a degree in Elementary Education, reflecting his commitment to the development of young minds. His career journey was diverse, including driving trucks for McKesson in Lansing and working as a Sales Representative in the Insurance, Annuities, and Mortgages sectors and also providing financial planning with Primerica. His work ethic was commendable, but it was his ability to connect with individuals that left a lasting impression. Fred was known for being the last to leave, always eager to engage in conversation, and share a word of encouragement or wisdom.
He leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish his memory. He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Sheila Ballou, his sons Benjamin and Timothy (Bobbie) Ballou, and his daughter Aimee (Kurt) Martens. Fred was a proud grandfather to Kathryn Ballou, Mariah (Caleb) Robbe, Victor Martens, Virginia Martens, Wyatt Martens, Tiffany Ballou, Jessica (Justin) Buck, and Helen (Mathew) Rutherford. He is also survived by his siblings Robert (Sharon) Ballou, Donald Ballou, Daniel Ballou, Mary (Wayne) Robertson, Martha Clark, and Evelyn (Dave) Stierley. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin Ballou and Dorothy (Thompson) Ballou.
Visitation will be held at Capitol City Baptist Church located at 5100 W. Willoughby Rd. Holt, MI 48842 on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:00am. The funeral service will follow starting at 11am at the church. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Capitol City Baptist Church in Fred's name.
As we remember the loving, humble, and inspiring life of Frederick Ballou, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos to his memorial page. His life was a testament to his faith and his commitment to service, and his legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him. To share memories, condolences and watch the service online, please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHome.com