Harold Balios

HAROLD GEORGE BALIOS, 101, departed this earthly life on February 10, 2023. Harold was born Dec. 2, 1921 in Little Rock. He was predeceased by his wife of 75 years, Bettye Flemister Balios; parents, John Balios and Edna Thomas Balios Harbison; brother, Victor Balios; and granddaughter, Kody Logan. He is survived by two daughters, Dr. Vickie Balios Logan and Becky Thorne; sons-in-law, Dave Volsen and Frank Thorne; grandchildren, Kash Logan, Brad and Tracy Thorne; and nine great-grandchildren.

Harold graduated from Little Rock High School in 1939. During WWII, Harold and Bettye moved to Houston where he worked as a certified welder on naval ships. They returned to Little Rock in 1945. Harold went into dairy production and for more than 50 years was a successful businessman and leader in his community and around the state. He began as co-owner of the Thomas & Dixon Dairy. This later became Dixon Dairy in Little Rock where Harold was a primary stockholder and Sec./Treas from 1946 to 1967. After Dixon merged with Coleman Dairy, Harold served as Vice-President until his retirement in 1981. He served on the Board of Directors for Milk for Health of Arkansas and was on the Board of Directors and past President (1964) of the Arkansas Dairy Products Association. In 1981, he was inducted into the Arkansas Dairy Products Association Hall of Fame.

Harold was an officer in the Young Businessmen's Association of Little Rock, and later in the Pulaski Businessmen's Association. He was active for many years in the Kiwanis club, including participating with Bettye in the Kiwanis Minstrel Shows. He was a founder and active member of the 20 Grand Stock Club. He and his good friends played poker, one of his favorite activities, at the Shrine Temple and later at the Dixon Road Poker Club. When Harold reached age 96, the card games moved to his assisted living facility and continued until age 101.

Harold was well known for his love of sporting activities. He regularly spent much of the racing season at Southland Greyhound Park and at Oaklawn Park, as well as at tracks around the country. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Harold was a founding member of the Ace Hunting and Fishing Club and served as an officer from 1956 to 2017. He was featured in numerous articles in Arkansas newspapers and national magazines regarding his fishing in the White River Wildlife Refuge and quail hunting. One photo, published in the Arkansas Democrat and Holiday Inn Magazine, showed him shooting five quail on a single rise.

Harold was baptized at the Enunciation Greek Orthodox Church and supported activities at Westminster Presbyterian Church for many years. His legacy will be cherished, and he will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Family will receive visitors at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct, Little Rock from 10:00-11:00 am on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Funeral will follow at 11:00am. Interment at Pinecrest Memorial Park following services.