Kenneth Meverick Ballard, of Chicago Illinois passed away, Tuesday, January 11, 2022. He was born July 9, 1978. In his 43 years, Ken lived a full life and left love, laughter and a great impact on his family, friends and in the Chicago Information Technologies, & LGBTQIA communities with his humanitarian and volunteer efforts. He is survived by: his greatly beloved Mother, Rose Eaves of Ankeny, IA and his sister, Jennifer Carroll (Brendan, Brian and Devin) of Missouri. His Father, Michael Ballard lives in Des Moines, IA with wife Julie and family. Ken’s well-loved Uncles & Aunts: Bill Huffman (IA), Steve Nitros Eaves (WI), Lee Eaves (Leah) (IA) and “Ant” Annie Eaves-Huffman (IA). He is survived by his Cousins, who were like his siblings. Ken will be deeply missed and celebrated at the Cousin’s Night Out. Michelle Walker (John, Chloe, Ella & Teaghan) (AZ), J.J. Fenceroy (AZ), Heather Diaz (John, Sophia, Gavin & Jayson) (WI), Amy Eaves (Rick Gray) (IA), Mike Street (Nicole Pherigo, Landen & JoJo) (IA), and Sara Huffman (Danielle Bethke) (CA). His grandparents preceded him in death including: Stan & Letha Ballard, Mary Ohnemus Eaves and Leon Eaves. Ken was well loved by many extended family and life-long friends. Ken was a friend to everyone he met. His enthusiasm and love impacted all whose life he touched. He leaves a hole in our hearts as big as his laugh and as wide as his smile. At 8 years of age, Ken self-taught how to Code that grew into his passion and career in computer science and coding. A quote from a memoir written by Ken of his life story: “I got my first computer when I was 8 years old – I started writing code on it and learned what would later be my craft at an early age. I’d buy magazines with code in the back of them. I was such a slow typist with my tiny fingers, Mom would type the program in and I would change and expand it.” Ken had a brilliant IT mind as well as the people skills and passion to help the non-geeks! Family and friends used Ken as a walking-google. He loved learning and was well versed on many topics. He leaves an indelible footprint in the Information Technology Community and with his work in the many humanitarian and volunteer causes he supported. Ken was a Solutions Principal at Slalom Consulting where he loved working. Slalom is known for putting their people first, and they have certainly demonstrated that in the love, care and concern for our family. Previously, he worked at The Nerdery and On-Call Computer Services. Ken considered his career colleagues as extended family. Ken was adventurous and a world-traveler. He went on many Sabbaticals. One of the many was at the Green Gulch Farm, a Zen Center near San Francisco, California. He enjoyed simple living and volunteering in the farm’s kitchen and garden. Before working at Slalom Consulting, Ken went on a world-wide sabbatical, traveling across the globe spending time in India, Japan & Asia - living the culture, making friends and enjoying the food. Ken was an avid cook and took classes in the Culinary Arts. During Covid he hosted a Family Zoom “Cooking with Ken” where family prepared and ate meals together. Ken had an active life-long passion for humanitarian and volunteer projects. Over his career, he led many volunteer teams to provide IT solutions for small businesses, non-profits and start-ups. Ken was an active mentor to young disadvantaged students to introduce them to computer science and coding, his passion and career. During the Covid lockdown, he made Lakeview Food Pantry home deliveries with a Slalom colleague. He also volunteered with a team to create an APP that tracked Covid in the City of Chicago. He was known to generously help individuals with personal needs. Ken was a beacon of light, laughter and compassion to his family, friends and all he met. His light will be missed, but his flame will ever light the torch that glows within everyone whose life Ken touched. CELEBRATION OF LIFE The family and his friends are planning a Celebration of Life to be held both in Iowa and Chicago at a later time.