Robert L. Ballowe

Robert L. Ballowe, 91, of Great Falls passed away Friday, December 05, 2014 at Peace Hospice. Robert was born in Denver, CO January 20, 1923 to George S. and Frances L. (Wright) Ballowe. In 1928 the family moved to Great Falls where he resided the rest of his life. Robert graduated from Great Falls High School in 1941 and volunteered for the Army shortly after Pearl Harbor. He served in North Africa and later transferred to General Mark Clark’s Fifth Army in the Italian Campaign including the Anzio Beachhead and the Po Valley. He was honorably discharged after the war in 1945. Robert was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Master’s Me, the Great Falls Stamp Club, and the Sons of Pioneers. He was employed at Town and Ranch Furniture for over 30 years until his retirement in 1989. In later years he became a cataloger for stamp dealers in North Carolina and Arizona. Robert was interested in reading, writing poetry, handball, racquetball, ping pong, and stamp collecting. He was very fond of watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren perform in sports, music, and other activities. Robert married Mary Ann Powers September 3, 1949. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; sons Robert (Marcia) Great Falls, William (Marnette) Great Falls, Scott, Great Falls; daughter Wendy (Tim) Chapman of Covington, WA; brother George, Lewistown, four grandchildren Mark Ballowe Missoula, Ben (Jessie) Chapman, Renton, WA, Sammie (Sean)Johnson, Charleston, South Carolina, and Jourdan (Brandon) Anderson of Edmonds, OK; seven great-grandchildren Michaela, and Moriah of Missoula, Cadence and Talitha of Renton, WA, and Jacob and Luke, Edmonds, OK; Nash, Charleston, South Carolina and several nieces and nephews. His parents, a brother James and a granddaughter Andra have passed away. Bob has donated his body to the WAMII Program at Montana State University. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church or charity of your choice.