Alando Michael BALLANTYNE

1947 - 2015

BALLANTYNE,
Alando Michael
Sept. 4, 1947 to June 25, 2015

Mike Ballantyne's wonderfully big heart gave out too suddenly the 25th of June 2015. He leaves behind a legacy of great friendship, love and memories of his contagious laugh and boyish grin that brightened every occasion

Born in Houston to Alando Jones Ballantyne and Maria Mitchell Ballantyne, his exceptional mind was noted early. His first grade teacher asked the class to draw the coldest thing they could think of and Mike raised his hand and responded, "How do you draw liquid helium?" He claimed he peaked then, but history proved otherwise. He graduated from St. John's School with numerous academic honors as well as a long-standing record in the mile run and then attended Stanford University where he was awarded a degree in mathematics. While working on his Ph.D. and as a research scientist at The University of Texas at Austin, Mike and his mentor, Woody Bledsoe, were pioneers in automating mathematical reasoning and artificial intelligence, publishing articles in numerous prestigious journals

Mike was an early investor and board member of several start-up software companies and with two colleagues recently established another start-up. While working for 21 years at EDS (which was merged into Hewlett Packard), he solved numerous complex programming problems relating to Y2K, Continental Airlines crew scheduling, conversion of ancient mainframe software to run on modern systems, and a wide variety of client consultations on particularly difficult projects. Along the way he was responsible for a number of software patents. His former boss said that if he needed to solve a difficult problem, Mike was the best person to have on his team; he also noted that Mike was his most challenging employee to manage. That was Mike: a free spirit and independent thinker who always did it his way.

Children came later in his life and he was devoted to Miranda and Marvin and his wife, Peggy. His charisma, sense of humor, playful nature, quirky habits, and joie de vivre led to descriptive phrases such as "a real character," "one of a kind," and "never met a stranger." His children describe him as a great father and want to honor him with their lives. When a friend was in need - he gave it his all

Mike's most important achievement was his contribution to the lives of everyone around him, touching each person in a uniquely different way. Mike was a lifelong learner and his coffee table was full of books on mathematics, programming, and philosophy. Mike listened eagerly to one and all, with the hope that the agglomeration of multiple opinions would reveal something profound and interesting

Mike is survived by his wife, Peggy; his two children, Miranda and Marvin; his six siblings; Dana Ballantyne, Katina Jackson, Marina Walne, Christie Ballantyne, George Ballantyne, and Lisa McDonald; their spouses and children; and his Mitchell and Ballantyne cousins and their families. His brilliant mind, bright spirit, and generous nature will be remembered with great love by those he leaves behind

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 1st of July in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, in Houston. An interment service is to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 2nd of July at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston. The memorial service is to be conducted at three o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 9th of July at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2111 Parker Lane, in Austin, Texas. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of the customary remembrances, memorial contributions be directed in Mike's memory to the charity of your choice.