Jim Ballas, 85, of Lincoln, fell asleep in the Lord on October 28, 2014 from complications with leukemia.
His career spans 55 years. He began as announcer at WATK-AM, Antigo, WI; as announcer/copywriter for KCSJ-AM, Pueblo, CO; worked in the WGN-TV Sports Department, and for the ABC-TV Film Department, Paul Harvey News, in Chicago, while attending college. Attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and graduated from the Brown Institute School of Broadcasting, Minneapolis. He was also a graduate of the U. S. Army Adjutant General’s Corp., Indianapolis and Columbia College, Chicago.
Later in his career he was awarded a Doctor of Broadcasting by U. S. University of America, Washington, D.C. He served as General Manager for Curt Gowdy at KOWB-AM in Laramie, WY for 10 years. He later served as Broadcast Engineer for Mutual Broadcasting System, Washington, D.C.; taught all broadcast courses at Denver, Colorado Community College; was Transmitter Engineer at KRNE-TV, Merriman (Nebraska Educational Television) and Master Control Engineer for the state-wide Network Operations Center, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Network, Lincoln, until retirement in 1991.
After retirement he returned to NET on an as-needed basis as NETV Satellite Engineer. He was at the controls bringing the statewide Network into the new Millennium (2000’s) on January 1, 2000. He later extended his broadcast interests by providing live and recorded church and local music and dance programming for Time Warner Cable Channel 13. He also served in the U. S. Armed Forces radio service, Far East Network (FEN) Tokyo, Japan during the Korean War. He was administrator and producer of “Your Hit Parade”. Jim served as a Silver-Haired Senator, 1999-2005. Member, Lincoln-Lancaster County Commission on Aging Board, 1992-2001. Member, of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism society, 1955-1975. Director, National Association of Broadcasters, Washington, D.C., 1971-1973. Member, Wyoming Association of Broadcasters: Director, 1971; Treasurer, 1972; Vice President, 1973; President, 1974. Member, Board of Directors, Nebraska Broadcasters Association, 1960-1962. Other civic services include Kiwanis Club, 19 years; Third Degree Mason; Elks Lodge. Also active, since 1955 in numerous civic projects and programs such as Brees Airport, Ivinson Hospital, Environmental Committees and Laramie Traffic Commission and countless professional and civic awards. Member, Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Lincoln, NE.
Born June 22, 1929 in Merrill (Lincoln County), Wisconsin.
Survived by wife, Sandra; sons, Bill (Susan) of Pleasanton, CA, Matthew (DeAnna Chris), Lincoln; step-granddaughter, Katy, California; grandchildren, Christopher Chris, Chandler Ballas and Keeling James Ballas, Lincoln; 1st cousin, Gus, Santa Barbara, CA. Preceded in death by parents, Sam (Kiato, Greece) and Diana Janus Ballas (Corinth, Greece); brothers, John, Christ, and Peter. Jim loved camping, music and cars and was a devout Orthodox Christian.
Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday (10-31-14) followed by a Trisagion Service at 7:00 p.m. at Roper and Sons, 4300 ‘O’ St.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (11-1-14) Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 950 North 63rd.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to the church.