John Murry Ballou, 83, of Columbia, KY passed away Friday, December 19, 2025, at T. J. Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow, KY surrounded by his family. He was born in Adair County on August 9, 1942, to the late Estel and Mary Hunter Ballou.

Mr. Ballou was a member of the Columbia Christian Church, former Adair County Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff from 1986-1999, and served in the United States Army. John was known as a loving husband, father and grandfather that would help anyone in need. He was a great storyteller and never met a stranger. He loved working on his farm and raising beef cattle.

Survivors include his wife Nancy Hancock Ballou of Columbia, KY; three children Ann Young (Toby), Jenny Myers (Chad) and Ben Ballou (Elizabeth) all of Columbia, KY; eight grandchildren Will Myers (Maddie), Miller Young (fiancée Kaitlynn Vela), Abby Baker (Walter), Maggie Young, Nathan Ballou, Lilly Myers, Sallie Ballou, and Hunter Ballou; three siblings Sherman Ballou (Sharon) of Cave City, KY, Juanita Pendygraft (Neil) of Glasgow, KY and Marla Shelley (J.M.) of Columbia, KY and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at11:00am Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the Columbia Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by VFW Post 6097.

Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00-8:00pm and will continue Tuesday morning until time for the service at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.

Bro. John Davis and Bro. Adam Shepard will be officiating, and pallbearers will be Will Myers, Miller Young, Nathan Ballou, Hunter Ballou, Chad Myers, and Toby Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Abby and Walter Baker, Maggie Young, Lilly Myers, Sallie Ballou, Maddie Myers, and Kaitlynn Vela.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to St. Jude or WHAS Crusade for Children and can be left at the funeral home.