Abingdon, VA James "Buck" Buchanan Ballard, Born 8/9/1951 in Norfolk, VA, passed away while doing what he loved most in life, walking his beloved dogs Simon and Barney. Jim was preceded in death by his parents James Alan Ballard of Willis Wharf, VA, Anna Clark Ballard of Rich Valley, Va., his brother Alan Clark Ballard and his beloved wife of more than 30 years, Karin Doyle Schulte of Houston, TX. He is survived by his sisters Martha Jane Ballard of Jackson Mi, Cindy Plant of Norfolk, VA, his sons and their families: Matthew and Ruthanne Schulte, Patrick and Kimberly Schulte and Grandsons: Patrick Ryan, Parker Laird, Nathanial Christian and Paxton Lawrence Schulte, all of Houston, TX. Jim attended Granby High School in Norfolk, VA where he played football. He then came west to attend Emory and Henry College in Emory, VA where he was a Royce Morris Student of Latin and Greek and received a Bachelors of Arts. He played football for Emory and Henry and is a member of the Phi Gamma Phi Fraternity. He began his career as a Virginia State Trooper and later worked as an Insurance Adjuster. Later, he explored his inner writer and penned “William Edmondson "Grumble" Jones: The Life of a Cantankerous Confederate." This well researched and documented book chronicles a fellow Emory and Henry (and WestPoint) graduate from Southwest Virginia that has an ironic connection to Jim's Texas family. After spending nearly 40 years in Houston with his Wife, family and a large group of friends, he recently moved back to his roots in Virginia to be with so many of the people who love and cared for him. Jim was a gentle soul who loved his extensive extended family across Southwest Virginia, his Sisters, his sons and grandsons, his Houston friends including many from the Houston Bark Park and Seven Acres, and his wife of more than 30 years. Perhaps most of all, he loved pets of all kinds and especially dogs. We will miss his witty puns, great sense of humor, his deep and sincere moral compass and the way we felt in his presence, safe and loved. We will have a service at Rich Valley Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am on Saturday February 15, 2020. We will have a lunch that will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Washington County Animal Shelter in Abingdon, VA at 27252 Porter Lane, Abingdon, VA 24211, 276 676-6210.