Imogen B. “Pat” Ballard

Imogen Dean Billings Ballard, "Pat", 95, passed peacefully into her eternal home on November 14, 2021. She was surrounded in her final days by her three children at her residence at Bickford Place in Overland Park, KS.

A native of Tacoma, Washington, Pat was born July 31, 1926, the youngest of three children of Paul Whitman and Imogen Dean Billings. She often shared fond memories of growing up on the shores of Puget Sound.

Following high school graduation, Pat traveled back and forth by train to Lawrence, KS, to attend the University of Kansas, where she majored in Music and Voice. Pat became an accomplished soloist, and shared her remarkable talent at scores of Kansas City area events in the ensuing decades. She joined Pi Beta Phi sorority, a source of lifelong friendships, and was recently honored by Kansas City alumnae as a 75-year member.

At KU, Pat met John William "Jack" Ballard, Jr., who had just returned from World War II Allied-occupied Germany. Dazzled by his height, sense of humor and gentle demeanor, they began their 50+ years of marriage in 1947, settling in Prairie Village, KS, where they raised three children: John III, Paul and Jenny.

A longtime member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Pat joyfully sang in the choir and as a soloist, and served as Altar Guild chair and a Eucharistic minister. She was a member of the Junior League of Kansas City. Pat loved golf and was four-time ladies' champion at Mission Hills Country Club. She devoured books in every spare moment and cheered on her beloved Jayhawk basketball team to the end.

Along with her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her husband Jack, sister Bobbie, and brother Bud. Survivors include her children and their spouses: John and Cindy Ballard of Overland Park, KS; Paul and Cindy Ballard of Austin, TX; and Jenny and Hank DeVry of Liberty, MO. She was "Grannie" to her adoring grandchildren, their spouses, and great grandchildren: Jake, Betsy, Will and Caroline Ballard; Erin, Mike, Kian and John Payne; Graham, Grace, Helena and Tillman Ballard; Brooks, Kelly, Maeve and Finley Ballard; Kate, Jordon, Parker, Aubree and Delaney Land; Claire DeVry and Henry DeVry.

Private services.  The family requests no flowers and suggests memorial contributions to Asbury United Methodist Church (where Pat attended in recent years with John and Cindy), 5400 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208, visitasbury.org; or to Fulfillment House (employing very special people including Pat's grandson Henry), 103 South Jefferson Street, Kearney, MO 64060, thefulfillmenthouse.org.

Private services.  The family requests no flowers and suggests memorial contributions to Asbury United Methodist Church (where Pat attended in recent years with John and Cindy), 5400 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208, visitasbury.org; or to Fulfillment House (employing very special people including Pat’s grandson Henry), 103 South Jefferson Street, Kearney, MO 64060, thefulfillmenthouse.org.