Robert Bob Turner Ballenger

BOB BALLENGERRobert Turner "Bob" Ballenger, 91, of Garden City, Tx. went home to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, May 16, 2009 at his ranch. Visitation will be held at Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home in Midland on Tuesday, May 19 from 6:00 PM ? 8:00 PM. Services will be held at Nalley-Pickle Welch Funeral Home Chapel in Midland, Texas on Wednesday, May 20, at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will be held in Sterling City at the Montvale Cemetery following the services in Midland, with Rev. Ken McIntosh of First Christian Church of Big Spring officiating. Bob was born May 4, 1918 in Henderson, Texas, to Robert Turner and Ivy D. Ballenger. He grew up and attended schools in Henderson. Following high school graduation, he attended Texas Christian University, graduating in 1939 with a BS in Business Administration and a Minor in Economics. At TCU he was a member of the Bryson Literary Club and played the trumpet in the Swing Band. After graduation from TCU, he became involved in ranching in West Texas and was a rancher all of his life in Glasscock, and Upton counties. He made his home southwest of Big Spring for 70 years.Bob raised Hereford cattle, Black Angus cattle, Quarter Horses and at one time was one of the largest Rambouillet sheep producers in Texas. He was most recently honored by the American Quarter Horse Association receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for his breeding of quarter horses for over 50 years. He was also a judge for the AQHA in the 1960s. His foundation stud, Buck Dodger, left a huge legacy in the quarter horse world with many of his get competing in halter classes, cutting horse and roping horse competitions. His top winning mare, Dixie Buck acquired a total of 53 points in 1957. With Bob showing her himself, Dixie Buck was the High Point Halter mare in 1959 and 1960 in the West Texas Quarter Horse Association. She also was High Point Aged mare and High Point Horse. Dixie Buck received a Certificate of Honor for winning High Point Halter and Performance Individual Second in Senior Cutting. She was the Grand Champion of the 1960 Fort Worth Stock Show. Bob had many cutting horses that became National Champions, including Bill Dodger and Booger Buck. He was a former member of The Cattlemen's Association and The Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. Bob was a generous person with a wonderful sense of humor who loved and had great respect for the land and the animals he raised. Bob had a deep love of family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always remembered to call them on their birthdays and was there for the big events in their lives. He was a regular at many West Texas football games throughout the years cheering on his grandsons, Fred, Robert and Jeff.Bob had a host of friends all over West Texas and will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his hospitality, his stories, and his great love of life and spirit of adventure. His house was always open to any and all. He was a gentleman.Bob was a member of the First Christian Church in Midland in the 60's, where he proudly served as a deacon. He later transferred his membership to the First Christian Church in Big Spring. He loved great hymns and music and had a deep and abiding faith and love for the Lord. Bob was a Christian and lived with Christian principles. Bob also took great delight in beautiful flowers and the beauty of nature. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Francys Walls, his brother-in-law Bill Walls, his sister-in-law Joyce Ballenger and his nephew Bill Walls, Survivors include three daughters, Lynda Ruth Ballenger Glass and husband Larry of Sterling City,Tx., Barba Sue Ballenger Keene and husband David of Plano, Tx. , and Francys Ann Ballenger of Dallas,Tx.; two brothers, Max Ballenger and wife Jean of Henderson, Tx., and Dan Ballenger of Kilgore, Tx. ; four grandchildren, Fred Squire and wife Bonnie of Midland, Tx. , Scarlett Squire of Ft. Worth, Tx., Robert Glass and wife Brooke of Spur, Tx., Jeff Glass and wife Jaime of Amarillo, Tx.; and ten great grandchildren, Reagan, Maggie and Turner Squire, Riley, Rachel and Ben Glass, Daniel, Emily, Andrew and Grayson Glass, nieces, Brynda Ballenger, Nancy Ballenger, Babs Ballenger, Beth Ballenger and Mary Walls Somerville and many, many friends who will miss him dearly. Pallbearers will be Fred Squire, Robert Glass, Jeff Glass, Wesley Glass, Allen Lucas and Mike Coomer. Honorary pallbearers are Wesley Yeager and Tommy Owens.The family would like to give a special thank you to Gracie Leal, Jackie Hill and Debbie Bagnall for caring for Bob, day and night, over the past several months and to Home Hospice of Big Spring. The family would also like to thank Bob's dear friend, Ann Schafer, who watched over him over the past several years. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley- Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com,