Early Thursday, November 7th, 2024, our sweet brother, uncle, cousin & friend joined our Lord and many loved ones who had already passed into eternity. This came after his 2023 diagnosis of cancer and heart disease, and other struggles, as well as his stoic battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Mike's life is a beautiful story of resilience and accomplishment. He was born in Hobart, Oklahoma on January 18th, 1952, to Ira Glenn Ballew and Bonnie Lucelle Ballew. In 1953, his family moved to Arvin California, where he attended grade school, was involved Cub Scouts, and later Boy Scouts. In 1959, the moved to Bakersfield, California, where he attended junior high and Foothill High School. After leaving high school, Mike joined the United States Navy. He served from 1972 - 1976. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran.

Mikes military success and training led to him becoming a devoted employee for the Transit Authority in the Los Angeles area for 37 years, until his retirement in 2014. It was during his employment in transportation that he felt led to go back to college to earn his AA degree. This achievement led him to be promoted as a lead transportation mechanic. With a smile on his face, Mike loved to tell the story of how he made the decision to attend college and how he moved up the chain of command. The Lord blessed him with this wonderful milestone.

In 2014, Mike retired from transportation and decided to go to Keller, Texas and visit a friend. It was on that trip that Mike decided to buy a home and establish his life in Texas. He packed up his belongings and moved to Texas. What a blessing Texas has been for him. He has many, many friends and has enjoyed his retirement life to the fullest. God is so good!

In Texas, Mike worshipped and served at White's Chapel Methodist Church and at Gateway Church (Southlake Campus). In addition, he served at and attended several area senior centers. It is in these areas that he met many special people that he is blessed to call friends. It is also where he began to experience even more of what Texas had to offer. One of his very favorite stories to tell was of traveling with one of his senior center groups to the Dinosaur Museum. He was absolutely amazed by the dinosaur animatronics at the museum.

Mike loved serving people in so many ways. You may have been blessed to have been a beneficiary of many of Mike's kindnesses. He stayed by the side of several ill friends, took flowers and gifts (usually a stuffed animal), He liked giving cards to people, and often would give a rose to ladies on Valentines Day or their birthday. He never wanted anybody to be left out of lonely.

He enjoyed helping with many community events, such as the World Vision concerts and other Christian concerts. He stuffed gift bags for conferences and conventions, etc. He loved to serve at food distributions and soup kitchens. If Mike was asked if he could help, he usually said "Yes!" He was always eager to lend a helping hand. Mike had a great collection of tools. If you had something that needed to be fixed, he would go home, get his tools, and go back and take care of what needed fixing.

Mike was very kind and giving. He said, "it's easy to be kind." And "there's no reason not to be kind". And "if you can help someone, you should just do it." I have heard many times from many people, "Everybody loves Mike." And it's very true.

Growing up, Mike wasn't very athletic. But as an adult, he bought a very nice workout set for his home that he used a lot and built (more) muscle and strength. He also learned some of the martial arts. He loved going to the gym to work out and train with others. He was never a bike riding enthusiast. He actually had a very nice bicycle but the last time he rode it, he had a spill and injured his leg. That was the end of riding on the street. But when he got a professional stationary bike, he liked to get on it regularly. That was the best way to ride a bike!

To assist Mike along his final journey here on Earth, in December 2023, Mike moved from independent living into assisted living. It was at Sage Oak of Denton where Mike met his angels here on earth. The staff fell in love with Mike, his funny jokes, his flirtations, his orneriness, and his singing and wiggling his ears. While there, he enjoyed helping the chefs prepare meals, and the handy man paint, as well as other fun activities.

At Sage Oak, they gave him the much-needed respect and provided a safe space for him to express himself in ways he needed most. We are so appreciative of their provisions and tenderness.

In addition to the staff at Sage Oak, Mike met his final earthly angels, who provided the needed guidance and protection for the final stage of his journey. The Concho Hearts Hospice team came in at the right time and provided the perfect amount of love for him and his family. We are so grateful for their hearts and expertise!

Mike is survived by his sister, Queta and husband, John; his brother, Frank and wife, Sharon; nephew, Paul and wife, Diana; great nieces, Melissa, Julie, Annie and husband, Seth, Wendy and husband, John; very special niece, Cindy and husband, Steve (who were with Mike when he passed); great nieces, Allyson, Julia, Lindsay, and Zach; nephew, Brian; great nephew, Timothy; and great niece, Lydia; his sister, Cindy; his brother, Lon; many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends who loved him dearly.

Mike was lovingly received into Heaven to join his mother, Bonnie Lucelle; his father, Ira Glenn; his brother, Fred; and his sister-in-law, Vera.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton.

The recording of the service can be watched with the following link;

VIEW THE SERVICE HERE

Mike will be laid to rest in his hometown of Arvin, California, in the Bakersfield National Cemetery with the assistance of Doughty Calhoun O'Meara Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in Mike's honor:

Wounded Warrior Project - Donate