Obituary of James F. Ballew Jr.

JAMES F. BALLEW JR. 1928-2023 James F. Ballew Jr. of Freehold, died Saturday, April 1, 2023 at CareOne in Jackson Township. Mr. Ballew was born at the Old Freehold Hospital in Freehold and led a long life of service to his country, community, and family. A graduate of the Peddie School in Hightstown and Cornell University, he returned to Freehold after serving in the United States Army to own and run Ballew Jewelers for 35 years. He was a member of Boy Scouts of America where he earned the designation of Eagle Scout and served in the U.S. Army with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was a Past President of the Freehold Chamber of Commerce, a Past President of the Freehold Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he was a Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees, member of Centrastate Healthcare System Board of Trustees and Applewood Estates Assisted Living Board of Trustees, a 28 year member of the Borough of Freehold Planning Board, member of the Western Monmouth YMCA Board of Trustees, member of the Monmouth County Historical Association Board of Trustees, the recipient of the Borough of Freehold “Mayor John G. McGackin Award” in 1989, and member of the Westlake Country Club Board of Trustees. Jim was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Ballew, in 2007. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; John and June of Naples, Florida, Richard and Hitomi of Orange County, California, and a daughter, Sally Ballew of Vail, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Tammy French, Brad Jamison, Danielle Coma, Kate Mehling, Scott Foley, Richie Ballew and Giselle Ballew; seven great grandchildren, Morgan French, Connor French, Korrina Coma, Kendall Coma, Mikaela Coma, Mary Jane Mehling and Gavin Mehling. His funeral service will be Wednesday, April 12 at 11:00 am at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold. Burial to follow at Old Tennant Church Cemetery. Calling hours will be at the funeral home Tuesday, April 11 from 4-7 pm Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the YMCA, 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold, NJ 07728.