Bruce Ballif

BRUCE BERRETT BALLIF

1929 – 2016

Bruce Berrett Ballif died May 18, 2016 in Logan, Utah.  He was born May 20, 1929 in the Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah, a son of Lois Berrett and Joseph Fenelon Ballif, Jr.

He attended the Stewart Training School in Salt Lake City before moving to North Ogden.  He graduated from Weber High School in Ogden.

Bruce served an LDS mission in Virginia and North Carolina (the Central Atlantic States Mission) and upon his return he became engaged to Jeanne Braegger.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 21, 1951.

He attended the University of Utah where he was an Air Force Cadet in the ROTC; during this time, he worked nights at Hill Air Force Base.  He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.

After graduation, Bruce entered the United States Air Force with a commission as a Second Lieutenant.  He went through pilot training at Spence Field in Moultrie, Georgia and Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma; he remained in Oklahoma as an instructor pilot for two more years.  While living at Vance AFB, his daughter Suzie was born.  As an officer in the Air Force, his assignments took him to areas in the United States, Turkey, and Korea.  The last eight years of his career were spent in the Pentagon as the USAF Housing Director.

Bruce loved to sing.  He sang in the Mormon Choir of Washington, D.C., and in the Red Crescent Choir in Izmir, Turkey.  He studied voice from Madam Patreseé of the La Scala Opera in Italy.

After retirement, Bruce remained in Virginia where he worked for the LDS Church in establishing employment centers along the East Coast.  He served in the Church wherever he was stationed; his callings included Branch President, Bishop, and member of the Stake Presidency.

Bruce and Jeanne then moved to Logan, Utah; but before they could get settled in their new home, they were called to serve as missionaries in Australia.  Their mission assignment was to introduce the LDS Employment Program to leaders in the Church.  When they returned home from this mission, they were called back to Australia where Bruce served as the Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency.  Bruce was then called to be the Executive Secretary to Elder Hugh Pinnock in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake.  The Nauvoo Temple was built during this time, and Bruce and Jeanne were privileged to attend the temple dedication.  Bruce’s final and favorite calling was that of Gospel Doctrine teacher.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne; daughter Suzie; and two brothers:  Neil (Sharon) Ballif, and Arthur (Karen) Ballif.

Funeral services will be held at 11a.m. on Monday, May 23, 2016 at the Lundstrom Park Third Ward 1260 N. 1600 E. Logan, UT. A viewing will be held at the church on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m prior to the services.   Interment in the Ogden City Cemetery.  Services entrusted to Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary.

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