Duel Ryon Ballard, III of Seaford went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.
Duel was born May 21, 1954 in South Weymouth, MA, a son of Duel Ryon Ballard, Jr. and Nathalie Cameron (Ewing) Ballard of North Hero, VT.
He graduated from Ft. Hunt High School in Alexandria where he ran track and was a member of the crew team. After high school, he attended Salisbury University. Duel made friends wherever he went but stayed close to all his high school and college friends even after all these years. He was a born salesman and spent 15 years in the food sales industry. He owned and operated several restaurants in Vermont, including one of his favorites, the Flying Tomato. He was an excellent cook and trained under several accomplished chefs. He continued his culinary passion by heading up the “Now We’re Cooking” program at First State Community Action, where he taught cooking and overall life skills to special ed students.
In addition to cooking, Duel was also very passionate about sports and was an avid Washington Redskins fan. After becoming a father, he took his love for sports to another level and coached his son and friends on their football, lacrosse, soccer, and little league baseball teams. With the lead of Mark Quillin, Duel was a co-founder of the Delmar lacrosse program. He eventually served several years as an assistant coach for the Delmar High men’s lacrosse team. He was the consummate coach and loved all his student athletes and became a father figure to many.
He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and spending time with family. He also enjoyed traveling and every year looked forward to the annual family trip to Vermont, one of his favorite places to visit.
He was a member of Crossroad Community Church in Georgetown.
Once Nathalie was born, he proudly became a stay-at-home dad. Duel loved spending his time playing with her and being involved in her gymnastics and soccer. He will be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father, brother, son, coach, and friend to many.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of seven years, Lori Ann (Stakiel) Ballard; son, Taylor Ryon Ballard and wife Kristen of Ocean City; daughter, Nathalie Grace Ballard; brother, Cameron Joseph Ballard and wife Jill of Bryans Road, Md.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sisters, Kathy Winters and Cindy Livesey.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, Sept. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, and on Saturday, Sept. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. at Crossroad Community Church, 20684 State Forest Rd., Georgetown, DE 19947, where a funeral service will begin at 1. Pastor Marvin Jones will officiate. Interment will follow at Melson’s Cemetery in Delmar.
In memory of Duel, contributions may be sent to the Kids Club Fund for Nathalie’s education at Tidemark Federal Credit Union in Seaford.
Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.