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Herbert Tyrone Ballard, 74, died unexpectedly of natural causes at Lake Norman Medical Center Saturday evening, June 10, 2023. He was surrounded by family and friends who expected him to sit up and tell a funny story, but, for once, he stayed quiet. Herb, a man who was always comfortable in his skin, was born on September 12, 1948, to Corporal James Miles and Edith Schmidt Miles in Aabenraa, Denmark. Within three months of his birth, Herb and his parents sailed to the United States, where the family made their home in Fort Benning, Georgia, while Corporal Miles was called to serve in Korea. After the death of his father when Herb was a baby, Herb and his mother moved to Kannapolis, North Carolina, to live with his American grandparents until Mrs. Miles met and married Howard C. Ballard, who adopted Herb. The Ballard family lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, and welcomed two more children, Heidi and Kim, before returning to Kannapolis, where Herb attended Aycock Elementary School and J.W. Cannon Jr. High and graduated in 1966 from A. L. Brown High School. Growing up, Herb delivered The Daily Independent newspaper, mowed lawns, and created, with his best friend Gary Frye, an illicit zip line in neighborhood woods that local children used for years, managing only minor scrapes and cuts. A kind and loving big brother and devoted son, Herb continued to bring joy to those who knew him. He enrolled in Central Piedmont Community College, started work for the United Parcel Service, and married Cynthia Brewer, with whom he had his first son, Robert Tyrone Ballard. Herb advanced at UPS, becoming one of the youngest center managers for the company, and continued to earn promotions until he retired, at age 38. Herb then married Patricia King, and the two of them had sons, Zack and Jeremy. During the next decades, Herb and his family enjoyed life on Lake Norman in Mooresville, and Herb owned and operated several businesses, including American Messenger Service and RMX Trucking. When the latter company was purchased by UPS, Herb returned to work for his former company, joking that he was either living a dream or a nightmare. Meanwhile, Herb became a grandfather when Shelby and Caitlyn Ballard were born within a year of each other. Two decades later, Herb became a great-grandfather with the birth of Lexi, Lucas, and Jack. Herb Ballard was a remarkable family man; his wife, children, grandchildren, parents, in-laws, sisters, and friends were the center of his world. Extremely funny and smart, Herb never met a stranger and extended his sense of responsibility to the many people he encountered at work and in his neighborhood. He was loved in Denmark as well as the United States, as Danish relatives visited throughout the years, and he visited there. Herb leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Patricia King Ballard; three sons, Rob (Shasta), Zack (Dr. Sebastian Ibarra), and Jeremy (Olivia Felo); granddaughters, Shelby Ballard McClain (Christopher Vaughn) and Caitie Ballard (Joshua Ruby), great-grandchildren, Lexi, Lucas, and Jack; sisters, Heidi Green and Kim Ballard; nieces, Emily Green (Dr. James Allen) and Melissa Green (Jeff Jackson); and great-niece, Sydney Dawue. Many people had a special role in Herb's life, including his good friends John and Terri Andersen and their daughter Jessica (Marshall Dean). Herb's parents preceded him in death. On Friday, June 16, 2023, a celebration of Herb Ballard's life will be held at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., with the service starting at 2:00 p.m. and a reception to be held at the family's home following the service. The family requests donations to honor Herb be made to the Human Rights Campaign or the Epilepsy Foundation. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Ballard family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

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Herbert Tyrone Ballard

September 12, 1948 - June 10, 2023