James Balliett

James Donald Balliett went to be with the Lord Friday, June 15, 2012 Bossier City, Louisiana. James, known as Don to family and friends, was born on December 23, 1951 in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1969, just two months after graduating high school, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed a tour in Vietnam as an air traffic controller. After leaving the Army in 1975, Don traveled from Kansas, to Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana working as owner or part owner for several contract companies. In 1991, Don began working for Universal Oil Products (UOP) in Louisiana, where he worked for 10 years as a Maintenance Supervisor. For the past seven years, he worked as a Water Production Operator ? Class 4 for the Water Treatment Plant in the township of Blanchard, LA. Don was not only a hard-working man, but also a devoted father. He was an honest and honorable man, full of wisdom and always willing to help a friend in need. He enjoyed old western movies and listening to Elvis Presley. He is survived by sons, Shad Balliett and wife Erin, Jason Balliett and wife Samantha, Jeremy Elia and Jeff Monley; grandchildren, Taylor Balliett, Laney Canter, Dustyn Elia, Kaitlyn Balliett, Skylar Balliett and Landon Balliett; siblings Barb Belt, Randy Balliett and Rob Balliett, along with numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.