James Ballard

1945 - 2025

Ballard, James

November 17, 1945 - September 29, 2025

James Clark Ballard, 79, died at Barnes Jewish Hospital on Monday, September 29, following sudden cardiac arrest at his home the previous evening. Jim was born to Frank Conley Ballard and Mary Ann O'Donnell Ballard on November 17, 1945, in Richmond, Virginia.

He grew up moving between Richmond, Louisville, KY, and Winston-Salem NC, where he spent his high school years, and showed a strong interest in the sciences. He began as a Physics major at Michigan State University in 1963, but gravitated towards the humanities, graduating with a degree in English in 1967. He began graduate studies in English at Washington University.

In June 1968, he married Linda Vance and the newlyweds immediately embarked on training for and service in the Peace Corps in Ankara, Türkiye. Returning to St. Louis in 1970, he resumed his studies and was an English teaching assistant. His background in both science and teaching English led to his joining the Engineering Department in 1974 to develop a syllabus and teach technical writing, a fairly new discipline then, which is still taught today through the Division of Engineering Education. While teaching, he founded the original Technical Writing Center in 1994, now known as the Engineering Communication Center (ECC). In the last decade of his tenure with WU, Jim provided writing consultations and assisted students and faculty with publications and grant applications. He continued to do so after retirement until his death. In his honor, the ECC created The James C. Ballard Excellence in Technical Communication Award, which will be the top prize in the annual technical writing competition.

Jim lived in his mind, reading widely in technology and the humanities. He loved restoring his 116 year-old home, enjoyed woodworking, and could fix almost anything. He was witty, kind, and much loved by his family, friends, colleagues, and his former students.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his son, Thomas Vance Ballard (Lindsay Ballard); grandsons Zachary and Elliot; and sister Betsy (Gary) Murray. He was predeceased by his parents and his younger brother, Frank Conley Ballard, Jr.

No service is planned.

In his honor, teach someone something new. Memorial contributions may be made to the ACLU, Arch City Defenders, or the charity of your choice.

Lupton Millard Chapel

7233 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63130

314-721-1870