Robert Charles (Red) Ballast died on January 20, 2025, at the age of 81 in Pototan, Philippines. He was born on January 7, 1944, in Bleakwood, Texas to Dirk and Lillie Ballast. He grew up in Nederland and Buna, and served in the United States Coastguard.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn, his son Corbin and daughter-in-law Patti, his son Leaf (Sam) and daughter-in-law Crystal, and his brother Dirk and sister-in-law Dianne. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Brittany, Travis, Brooke Cowger and husband Cody, LJ and wife Sophia, and Amelia. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Everett Cowger and Callie Cowger. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ralph Ballast.
He loved the outdoors, living the last phase of his life in Bon Weir, Texas, where he grew fruits and vegetables and smoked meat. He enjoyed fishing, and in his younger days, hunting. He had some unique opinions and was best described as sometimes wrong, but never in doubt. He was a good father and will be missed by all that loved him. He had a good run and died with his boots on.
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