Dr. John Balay
September 16, 1930 — August 28, 2006
Dr. John Balay
ARKADELPHIA--John W. Balay, M.D. died August 28, 2006 at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. Dr. Balay was born September 16, 1930 in Joplin, Missouri. The son of Hubert and Cleo Balay, he spent his childhood years in Neosho, Missouri. He graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville as the school's first scholarship baseball player. He received his bachelor's degree in 1952 and entered the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock. During that time, Dr. Balay played professional baseball as a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, playing at Lynchburg, Virginia and Peoria, Illinois.
After receiving his M.D. degree in 1957, Dr. Balay took a commission in the United States Navy and was attached to the 1st Marine Brigade in Hawaii. Dr. Balay was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N. and moved to Arkadelphia in 1961 to enter private practice. Over the next 45 years, Dr. Balay practiced in partnership with Drs. Anderson, Tilly, and Mann as well as privately until he joined the Baptist Health System in 2001. Dr. Balay was still in active practice at the time of his death.
Dr. Balay was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical society. He served on the Arkadelphia School Board from 1968 through 1971. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Rotary Club. In the early 1960's, Dr. Balay coached the Ouachita Baptist University baseball team and served approximately 30 years as the Ouachita football team physician.
Dr. Balay is survived by his wife Eula Balay, his former wife Diane Huie Balay, by his children Richard Balay, Michael Balay, Kathryn Genge, and Kellye Wood, his sister Patricia Strecker, and by 10 grandchildren.
Dr. Balay's funeral will held on Friday, September 1 at 2 pm at First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia. Service will be officiated by Reverends Daniel Kirkpatrick and Michael Mattox.
Interment will be in Richwoods Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday at Ruggles-Wilocox Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Clark County Humane Society.
After receiving his M.D. degree in 1957, Dr. Balay took a commission in the United States Navy and was attached to the 1st Marine Brigade in Hawaii. Dr. Balay was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, U.S.N. and moved to Arkadelphia in 1961 to enter private practice. Over the next 45 years, Dr. Balay practiced in partnership with Drs. Anderson, Tilly, and Mann as well as privately until he joined the Baptist Health System in 2001. Dr. Balay was still in active practice at the time of his death.
Dr. Balay was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical society. He served on the Arkadelphia School Board from 1968 through 1971. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Rotary Club. In the early 1960's, Dr. Balay coached the Ouachita Baptist University baseball team and served approximately 30 years as the Ouachita football team physician.
Dr. Balay is survived by his wife Eula Balay, his former wife Diane Huie Balay, by his children Richard Balay, Michael Balay, Kathryn Genge, and Kellye Wood, his sister Patricia Strecker, and by 10 grandchildren.
Dr. Balay's funeral will held on Friday, September 1 at 2 pm at First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia. Service will be officiated by Reverends Daniel Kirkpatrick and Michael Mattox.
Interment will be in Richwoods Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 PM Thursday at Ruggles-Wilocox Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Clark County Humane Society.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. John Balay, please visit our flower store.
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