Citadel Alumni Obituaries

John Goggans (Jack) Balle, born June 6, 1912 in Newberry, SC, died in
his home in Stockbridge, MA, on February 21, 2011. Jack grew up in
Laurens, SC, where his father Lipman George Balle was president of the
Palmetto Bank and his mother Lois Goggans Balle managed the home and
raised Jack and his sister Mary. Jack was part of the Citadel graduating
class of 1934. Following a period of employment in Charlotte, N.C., Jack
moved to New York City where he worked for the Chase Manhattan Bank and
attended graduate classes at Columbia University. While in New York, he
met and later married Mary Jean White of Jasper, Alabama. Jack was a
World War II veteran, serving in Italy, and when he returned to the
United States after the war, he and his wife, with their first child,
moved to Texas where he began a three-decade career as comptroller at
Texas Bitulithic, a subsidiary of Warren Brothers of Boston. While in
Dallas, Jack and Mary Jean completed their family having a second
daughter and a son. Upon retirement in 1972, Jack was able to fulfill
his life-long dream of seeing the world, visiting all of the major
continents. He was especially fond of big cities, finding pleasure in
walking around the financial heart of cities such as London and Paris.
In addition to his love of travel, Jack was an avid reader, particularly
of history books and newspapers. Up until several days before his death,
Jack was keeping up with news from the New York Times. Jack’s first wife
died in 1984 and in 1985 he married Mary Blanchard, a native of
Nashville, TN. The couple settled in Stockbridge, MA, where they enjoyed
25 years of travel and many happy times together. Jack is survived by
his wife Mary Blanchard Balle; his children Jean Lang Denman of
Columbia, S.C., Lois Balle Love of Laurens, S.C., and George Allen Balle
of New York City and Dallas, Texas; three grandchildren, John Alaster
Love of Laredo, Texas, Anthony Balle Love of Boone, N.C., and Laurel
Denman Hovey of Belton, Mo.; and one great-grandson, Alejandro Love.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Family and friends will gather in Stockbridge for a
celebration of Jack’s long life in early June, which would have been the
month of his 99th birthday. Those who wish may make memorial
contributions to the Stockbridge Historical Room through FINNERTY &
STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through
www.finnertyandstevens.com.

Tags: 1934