Joseph Curley Ballard, 98, a native of Jarreau, Louisiana, and a resident of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 28, 2022. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He enjoyed spending time with his family. Curley was a graduate of Rougon High School (1943). He was a World War II Veteran in the Navy Sea Bees and served in the South Pacific (Asiatic Pacific Ribbon Philippine Liberation); Seaman 1st Class. He received an Honorable Discharge on 12/13/1945. He was a retired insurance salesman for Union National Life Insurance Company for 39 years and also worked for State National Life Insurance for 3 years. Curley was a parishioner of St. Gerard Catholic Church, St. Louis Catholic Church and currently a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.
He was a member of KC Council 3331 (St. Gerard) and Fr. Maynard Hurst Council (St. Louis). He was also a member of the American Legion. He was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Gerard Catholic Church and St. Louis Catholic Church. He was also an usher at St. Louis Catholic Church. He attended Manresa Retreats and Cursillo. Curley is survived by Thomas C. Ballard and wife, Donna; Carla Ballard Kusch and husband, Deacon Robert Joseph Kusch; and David Brian Ballard and wife, Connie; grandchildren: Thomas Micah Ballard and his wife, Sunnylyn; Katherine Ann Ballard Foret and her husband, Benjamin; Rachelle Maria Kusch Stauss and husband, David; Rebecca Katherine Kusch and Robert Joseph Kusch II; great-grandchildren: Lorca Manale Ballard, Adalee Katherine and Smith King Pickett, Gianna Kathleen and Josephine Kate Foret, and David Rudolph, Maria Josephine, and Luke Joseph Stauss; sister, Shirley Ballard Elam and numerous nieces and nephews.
Curley was preceded in death by his loving wife Louvenia Bueche Ballard and they were married for 73 years. Preceded in death by daughter, Catherine Sue Ballard and granddaughter Laura Kathleen Ballard Pickett. Also preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude Jarreau Ballard and Willie “Goose” Ballard of Jarreau; a sister, Nora Ballard Labatut and Joseph Ivy Labatut; brothersin- law, John Elam, Jr. and Russel Robillard; sister, Judy Ballard LeFeaux. On Friday, December 2, 2022 a visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lakeland from 10 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. The mass will be celebrated by Fr. Amrit Raj and assisted by Deacon Robert Kusch. Burial to follow at Chenal Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas C. Ballard, Thomas Micah Ballard, Robert Joseph Kusch II, Walter Bueche Jr., Benjamin Christopher Foret and David R Rudolph Stauss. Honorary Pallbearers will be David Brian Ballard and Glenn Elam. The family would like to thank his caretakers, Bridgette Barker, Barbara Bradford and Elain Fremin for their loving care. Special thanks to the staff at St. Joseph Hospice.
