Shawn Ballard
Shawn Laing Ballard, 22, left this world and those that love him far too soon on May 19, 2025 in Twentynine Palms, CA. He was born in Provo, UT to Joe and Alicia Ballard on September 17, 2002.
Shawn hit the ground running, he loved getting into everything and had an inquisitive mind beyond his years. This became apparent as he would carry on conversations with adults by the time he was three years old. He had a special talent for organizing people into play groups, first on the playgrounds, moving on to a Dungeons and Dragons club and his favorite, the Chieftain of a clan composed of other online gamers. He would run his game while listening to podcasts about black holes or other scientific phenomenon’s.
One never wondered if Shawn had entered a room, aside from his eventual Viking-size-man-child stature, chaos, screaming, and laughter usually accompanied him. If there was prankery to be had, he had either instigated it or was a part of it. Shawn never had a disciplinary meeting with a school administrator that he couldn’t win over with his charisma and respect he had for authority – when it came down to it.
Shawn viewed the world from a Universal perspective, seeing everything with the widest possible lens. He was always up for a debate about any topic. We never quite knew if Shawn knew everything about the things he would discuss or was just that good at improv. Countless conversations often started well after bedtime and continued into early morning hours. Sometimes debates could get heated but Shawn never left a conversation unfinished and unresolved. The heated talks always ended with “I love you” and the ever important 8 second hug.
Shawn was intelligent, absent minded, curious, impulsive, stubborn, precocious, high energy, competitive, laid back, outgoing, brave, strong, quick witted, fierce, engaging, perceptive, fun loving, daring, obnoxious, and endearing. Those whom he trusted were allowed to see his humility, his vulnerability and above all, his tender heart.
Shawn is survived by his beautiful wife, Ruby Lou; his son, Colten; parents, Joe and Alicia Ballard; in-laws, Joe and Amy Minato; brother, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, two dogs, two cats, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Memorial services were held at Twentynine Palms Military Base in California and Lindon, Utah.
Shawn’s Childhood Mantra: (Deep breath in …. Hold it … blow it out slow) “ I, Shawn Ballard, am an amazing kid, and my Mom loves me.” Your mom forever loves you Shawn, along with so many others – until Valhalla