Carl Ballou Obituary

Carl Eugene "Carl Gene" Ballou was born on August 14, 1961, in Pryor, OK, to Martin Luther & Joan Marie (Sullateskee) Ballou. He departed this life on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Tulsa, OK, at the age of 64 years & 2 months.
Carl Gene was a lifelong resident of Locust Grove, OK. He attended Locust Grove Schools from kindergarten through high school, graduating with the Class of 1980. During his school years, he was a talented athlete who played football, baseball, & basketball. His skill on the football field earned him two college scholarship offers-one of which was to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah-but he chose a different path, proudly serving his country in the United States Marine Corps for four years.
Over the years, Carl Gene worked in a variety of trades & was known for his strong work ethic & mechanical ability. He worked at the Pryor Foundry for about ten years after high school and later at Barnes & Sons Rodeo Company. He also worked alongside Klint Pursely, running equipment & working on race cars-something he truly enjoyed. Skilled with his hands, Carl Gene was also a talented carpenter who helped build his brother Tony's home, & for about ten years, he installed drywall for Slick Cooper. He had attended Ballou Baptist, Cedar Grove, & Four Corners churches throughout his life.
Carl Gene loved being outdoors, riding his bike, & spending time with friends. Many will remember him hanging out at Smokey Valley Campground or joking around as an honorary member of Big Hallow Bar. The Wonder City Café once featured Carl Gene for riding his bike seven miles into town to attend their monthly community meal-just one example of his adventurous & good-natured spirit. Those who knew Carl Gene will remember him as one of the good ones-kind, caring, & deeply sensitive at heart. He was a loyal friend who genuinely cared about others & made everyone feel welcome.
Carl Gene is survived by: 2 siblings: Tony Ballou of Locust Grove, OK, & Vicky Jo Osburn & husband Tom of Tahlequah, OK, Nieces & nephews: Laurin Keen of Tahlequah, OK, Alia Ballou of Lawrence, KS, Farrah Ballou of Lawrence, KS, Sabrina Ballou of Lawrence, KS, Nathaniel Ballou of Catoosa, OK, Meagan Ballou of Claremore, OK, Jaycee Wilson of Phoenix, AZ, & Todd Wilson & wife Mary of Shawnee, OK; 4 great nieces & nephews: Alana, Tripp, Mariana, and Kayce, 1 special aunt: Sally Backwater of Locust Grove, OK; 1 special uncle: Clinton Ballou & wife Jolinda of Locust Grove, OK; 2 special cousins: John Mouse & wife Debbie of Locust Grove, OK, & Roy Panther, Jr of Locust Grove, OK; Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives & a host of friends. Carl Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Martin & Joan Ballou, & one brother, Harold "Jim" James Ballou.
Funeral services for Carl Eugene "Carl Gene" Ballou will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Ballou Baptist Church near Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Brother Henry Fine and Brother Rob Pierce will officiate. Interment will follow at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. Services have been entrusted to Locust Grove Funeral Home.
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