The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Robert Farrar Ballard Jr.

CLINTON — Robert Farrar Ballard Jr., 72, died Monday, April 14, 2008, at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Services are at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 17, 2008, in the chapel at Lakewood Funeral Home on Clinton Boulevard. Visitation will be 6-8 tonight and after 10 a.m. on Thursday. Burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park.

Mr. Ballard was born on Nov. 21, 1935, in Edwards to the late Robert F. Ballard Sr. and Nita Combs Ballard. He was a 1953 graduate of Central High School and went on to receive a bachelor of science in physics at Mississippi College in 1957. He dedicated 42 years of service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, as a research geophysicist. He achieved numerous accomplishments in seismic technology, including the Counter-drug Technology Development Program Office “Tunneling Activity Detection;” the California Border Alliance Group “Seismic/Acoustic Methods for Site Characterization” and “New Concepts for Levee Condition Assessment.”

Throughout his career, Mr. Ballard received many awards. The Silver Order of the De Fleury Medal was given to him on behalf of the Engineer Regiment. He also received the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Director’s Research and Development Achievement Award.

Mr. Ballard chaired the ASTM subcommittee delegated to develop a standard method for seismic crosshole testing. He invented and patented the Borehole Seismic Source System.

Bob was also a model railroad enthusiast and collector.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Clinton, and the Prentiss Cox Sunday school class. He was loved by many and will be missed greatly by his wife of 50 years, Pat Mason Ballard of Clinton; two sons, Sean Ballard and his wife, Michelle, of Harvest, Ala., and David Ballard of Edwards; daughter, Robin Farrar Ballard Allen and her husband, Richard, of Madison, Ala.; brother, John H. Ballard and his wife, Caron, of Clinton; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Clinton, 100 College St.; Clinton, MS 39056.

The online guest book can be signed at www.lakewoodfuneralhomes.com.

Nicholas Langford Kowaluk

Nicholas Langford Kowaluk died Sunday, April 13, 2008, at his residence. He was 63.

Born in Yonkers, N.Y., Mr. Kowaluk was a former resident of Raymond and had lived in Vicksburg for a number of years. He was the son of the late Nicholas Kowaluk and Helen Marie Langford Kowaluk.

Mr. Kowaluk was a graduate of H.V. Cooper High School and the University of Southern Mississippi, receiving his bachelor of science degree and master’s degree in criminal justice. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeni K. Thames; a sister, Elaine Kowaluk; and a nephew, Niles Langford McKay.

He is survived by a son, Matthew Kowaluk of Vicksburg; a grandson, John William Thames of Hattiesburg; and longtime friend, Debbie Slade of Vicksburg.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Patrick Farrell, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Fletcher’s Chapel Cemetery in Yazoo County at 2 p.m. under the direction of Riles Funeral Home. Visitation will be at St. Paul Catholic Church from 10 a.m. Thursday until the hour of the service.

Pallbearers will be Mickey Mahoney, James “Jimmy” Terry, Ken Kennedy, Ray Clary, John Thames and Matthew Kowaluk.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, P.O. Box 646, Vicksburg, MS 39181.

Jadyn Dakarai Young

Jadyn Dakarai Young, infant son of Lawerence Young Jr. and Raven Bryant, both of Vicksburg, died Monday, April 14, 2008, at River Region Medical Center.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Montae Trevillion; and his great-grandfather, Charlie Turner.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandparents, Lawerence Young Sr. and Faye Young of Port Gibson; Frajoe and Estella McKenzie of Vicksburg; paternal great-grandmother, Mae Eulice Turner of Port Gibson; maternal grandparents, Nathaniel Bryant and Gloria Marsh of Vicksburg; maternal great-grandparents, Tommie and Frances Adams of Holcomb, Miss.; and three brothers, Lawerence Young III, Damontae Trevillion and JaCorey Daniels, all of Vicksburg.

Williams Funeral Service has charge of arrangements.