KENNETH K.B. BALLARD

Kenneth "K.B." Ballard passed peacefully on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, Wyoming.

Kenny lived the traditional western American lifestyle. He spent a good part of his life horseback; ranching and doing rodeo. He was a self-taught artist and enjoyed illustrating his life experiences through drawings and bronzes. Later in life, he became a pilot and took up golf. He was a colorful character who loved to laugh and tell stories. He will be missed.

Kenny was born in Douglas, Wyoming, on Sunday, August 9, 1936. He was the third of four sons born to William Emmett and Elisabeth Rose (Schick) Ballard. He grew up on the family ranch on Snyder Creek, north of Lance Creek, Wyoming. His family raised Hereford cattle and Rambouillet sheep.

He graduated from Douglas High School 1954 and was drafted into the United States Army in 1958, where he served in the infantry.

Kenny married the love of his life, Donna Nelson of Laramie, Wyoming on February 20, 1962. Ken and Donna raised two sons, Duane and Lester Ballard.

Kenny was a successful rancher and accomplished horseman. At the age of 15, Kenny began breaking horses, gathering wild horses and working on ranches around Lusk, Wyoming, including Schmidt Brothers, Joss Ranch, Jordan Ranch, and Rawhide Ranch. He later managed the Horse Creek Ranch in Albany County, the Medicine Bow Ranch in Carbon County, and the Yellowstone Ranch in Fremont County.

Kenny competed professionally in major rodeos throughout the United States for 20 years. "K.B." as he was known, competed in saddle bronc, steer wrestling, and team roping, often winning the All-Around title. He won the Wyoming All-Around Cowboy title in 1969. He was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2018.

Kenny enjoyed sharing his western experiences through colorful stories and creative artwork. Most of his drawings depict the actual rodeo rides that he had seen from memory. A great many sketches were drawn at the time of the ride and given to rodeo friends. Later in life, his art portrayed the ranch life he loved.

After retiring from ranching, he became a pilot, logging thousands of hours in his 1958 Cessna 175XP. Favorite times were spent with his younger brother, Richie, sharing their interest in airplanes and flying over the landscapes they loved. Kenny enjoyed dropping in on his ranching friends, landing on nearby roads to visit.

Kenny's wishes were to have his ashes scattered from the air over the Sweetwater Canyon in the southern Wind River Mountains.

Kenny was preceded in death by his father, Emmett Ballard on June 4, 1978; mother, Elisabeth Ballard on November 13, 1995; and brothers, Bill on March 10, 1992, Don on August 10, 1993, and Richie Ballard on January 8, 2022.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Ballard; sons, Duane Ballard and Lester Ballard; granddaughter, Mariah Ballard Tokkesdal; grandsons, Devin Ballard, Amani Ballard, Jorell Ballard, and Karlon Ballard; niece, Angie Ballard Thomas; and honorary daughter, Marie Sermon Zumwalt

Gorman Funeral Homes - Platte Chapel of Wheatland, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.gormanfh.com