Roll Call Tribute

David Wayne Balke 

August 5, 1937 - December 19, 2022 

David Wayne Balke, 85, passed away Monday, December 19, 2022. “Wayne” was born August 5, 1937 in Sealy, Texas. Soon after, the family relocated to Baytown, Texas where he spent his childhood and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School.

After high school, Wayne attended Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corp Cadets, shortstop on the baseball team and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree. Following graduation, Wayne served as an officer in the U.S. Army.

While attending college and on a blind date, Wayne met a girl named Nancy, not knowing then that she would become his wife and the love of his life for 65 years. Wayne and Nancy spent most of their married life in Baytown, Texas raising four children and where Wayne worked for Exxon for many years.

Wayne was a great father, husband and coach, coaching his sons baseball teams for many years. He raised his children with love, respect and a quiet compassion. He required respect and in doing so, earned it. He set a great example for his children.

Wayne and Nancy moved to Huntsville, Texas in 1997 upon Wayne’s retirement. Living on the golf course was a dream of Wayne’s and he enjoyed his time living on the course in Elkins Lake where he was an avid golfer and spent time golfing with friends and family as often as he could.

Wayne and Nancy loved travel and traveled all over the U.S., Mexico and Europe by land, air and sea. Many of their U.S. trips were by land and included friends and family with Wayne behind the wheel. He was known as the “Navigator.”

Papaw or Paps, as the grandchildren and great grandchildren called him, was a storyteller with a sly sense of humor. He loved his family and though a man of few words, showed it every day through his actions.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents Lyman and Marie Vicenik Balke, wife Nancy Mallory Balke, daughter Sherilyn Balke, granddaughter Heather Michele Balke, brother Gordon Balke, sister-in-law Dorla Dittman and her husband Donnie and nephew Douglas Dittman.

He is survived by sons David Balke and his wife Lonni, Roger Balke and his wife Laurie, and Brent Balke and his wife Jessica. “Paps” is survived by his grandchildren Brooklyn Balke, Kristen Peeples and husband Richard IV, Samantha Larrow and husband Wayne, Cooper Balke and wife Lindy, Elaina Balke, Alyssa Balke, Ryan Balke, Kaylee Starr, Amber Dobbs and husband Patrick. His great-grandchildren are Sutten Peeples, Richard V (Bubby)Peeples, Scarlett Larrow, Cooper Larrow, Liam Dobbs and Margaret Dobbs. Also surviving him are his sister Loretta Bunt and brother Glenn Michael Balke and wife Kathy, along with sister-in-law LaVada Balke and many nieces and nephews. All will miss him dearly.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Balke family may be shared at www.earthmanbaytown.com