Donald W. "Buck" Ballard of Springfield, Ohio died Sunday, November 30, 2014 at Gulfside Hospice in Zephyrhills, Florida following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born February 17, 1941 to Foster and Frieda (Linthicum) Ballard who precede him in death.He graduated in 1959 from Northeastern High School and after 40 years of service, retired from International Truck and Engine Corp. He was an avid sports fan and while wintering in Florida, where he has many loving friends, he joined the Forest Lake Horseshoe League and the shuffleboard league. During his summers in Ohio he shuffled for the Springfield Shuffleboard Club and pitched for the West Liberty Salem Horseshoe Club. He rarely missed an OSU football or basketball game.He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Jodi (Michael) Ballard. He is also survived by a sister, Jeanette (Ray) Roberts of Catawba, a brother Howard (Vicki) Ballard of Springfield and sister-in law Peg Ballard of Catawba; daughters, Jenny (Chris) Downing of Cable, Ellen (Jeff Wheeler) Ballard of Catawba; two stepsons, Todd (Donna) Mullins and Tom (Jennifer) Mullins both of Springfield; grandchildren, Sam (Meredith) Dylan, Cassie (Zach) Fairchild, Denver Rich, Matt Mullins, Taylor-Jo Mullins, and Thomas Mullins; great-grandsons, Foster and Jason Fairchild; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews, and a special friend Marguerite Libby of Zephyrhills. He is preceded in death by a brother Jim Ballard and a stepson Tony Mullins.