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Steven "Steve" Balls '75 February 8, 2019 3:08 PM updated: February 8, 2019 3:11 PM

Larkin Mortuary obituary
260 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 363-5781

Steven Grant Balls
09/01/1948 - 01/07/2019

Steven Grant Balls, 70, died peacefully Monday, January 7, 2019 at his son’s home in Holladay, Utah surrounded by family members. Steve and his family courageously endured the challenges of advanced dementia during the last few years of his life.

Steve was born September 1, 1948 to Harold Grant Balls and Eleanor Morrell Balls at Soda Springs, Idaho. He was the first born of 4 children.

After graduating Soda Springs High School, Steve attended one year of college at Brigham Young University before enlisting in the Marine Corps at the age of 19. He served a year tour in Vietnam and received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal in 1969 and continued his education at Brigham Young University for another year. At the age of 22, he was called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Australia South Mission. After returning from his honorable mission, he met Elizabeth Jane Macdonald in Provo, Utah and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 18, 1972. After graduating with a degree in Agriculture Economics, Steve and Jane moved to College Station, Texas where he received a Masters Degree in Agriculture Finance from Texas A&M University. Steve pursued a career in agriculture finance and worked in various positions in Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, and California before retiring at the age of 66.

Steve enjoyed exploring God’s creations in the outdoors, loved gardening, reading, exercise, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Steve served on the board of directors for the Fresno Irrigation District for 8 years. As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he devoted countless hours and faithfully served in various church callings including serving as bishop for two different wards and in various other bishoprics, stake high councils, and finally as Stake Patriarch for the Fresno California West Stake.

Steve had a witty sense of humor, meticulous work ethic, and great love for his wife, children and grandchildren. Steve demonstrated a Christ like love and respect for all who knew him. Even at the end of his life, Steve managed to smile, laugh, and express his gratitude to those around him.

Preceded in death by his father Harold and two granddaughters Betsy and Paige.

Survived by his mother Eleanor and siblings Redge (Charlene) of Soda Springs, Idaho, Garth (LaVaun) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Wayne (Bonnie) of Mesa, Arizona.

He is also survived by his loving eternal companion and best friend, Jane, and his children Tara of Shreveport, Louisiana, Adam (Erinn) of Holladay, Utah, Eric of Midvale, Utah, Cameron (Mandy) of Lehi, Utah, and Marissa (Curtis) of Lehi, Utah; and his 14 grandchildren; Grant, Amanda, Sam, Alexa, Daisy, Taylor, Jake, Trenton, Boston, Emma, Charlie, Maddox, Graham, Piper.

Services will be held on Saturday January 12, 2019 at the LDS Chapel at 4200 W Skye Drive, South Jordan, Utah at 11 am. The family will visit with friends on Saturday morning beginning at 9:30 am at the church prior to the services.

Burial with military honors will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E Dimple Dell Rd (10600 South) Sandy, Utah following the services.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Touching Hearts at Home and Elevation Hospice for the compassionate care given to Steve during the last few weeks of his life.

Donations to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarrior.org) to honor Steve’s life are also encouraged.



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