Danny left this world unexpectedly doing what he loved doing, playing in the dirt with his boys on June 7 ^th 2019 at Pullman Regional Hospital.

Danny, or "Ballard" however you knew him, by was born March 11, 1959 in Bakersfield, California by his parents Ralph and Jean Ballard.  Not too much longer his younger brother, Brian Ballard, was born.  In 1967 his parents bought the Jaques Spur store in Culdesac, Idaho where they found their home.  Danny and his brother grew up working in the store as their parents "cheap labor."

Danny grew up outside and enjoyed everything about the outdoors.  Danny and his father enjoyed fishing for steelhead on the Clearwater River and hunting for elk on horseback in the Selway-Bitterroot National Forest.  Danny enjoyed speed and completion, racing everything from dirt bikes, ski's, jet boats and pretty much everything with an engine, except a horse.  Even though one of his favorite sayings was "put the spurs to it."

Danny and Brian were your typical brothers always in competition with each other.  Danny, according to his mother, "was the better of the two when it came to trap shooting." But Brian reminded him that he was there just to push him along the way.  Even though they were in competition with each other they were still brothers and the greatest friends.  One time their parents had them sell fireworks and Danny and his brother thought it would be a good idea one night to light off some of their products.  After lighting off a few of those fireworks they noticed a small orange light bringing in the distance, and brother Brian said, "what's that glow?"  Danny turned to Brian and said, "Dad is going to be Pissed!"

Danny's racing career eventually took him to hanging out at Bo-Jacks restaurant with his friend Dave Egland. It was there that one night the love of his life came through the door, and he meet Kim.  They instantly hit it off and they both knew that they found their life-long partners.  Danny and Kim married in 2005 where Danny, a single and simple man, took on a great family.  He loved it.  Danny embraced the family life and loved Kim's sons, Brandon and Zak, like they were his own.  Once grandchildren came along, Danny was there for every major life event.

Danny loved his grandkids and he took his time to single out each grandkid to make them feel special.  With Demi, they would look up different species of snakes, with Ryder it was all about researching dinosaurs. With Nevaeh, they their late-night visits were their special time, and with Gunnar it was dirt bikes and hunting.  That was Danny; he loved his family and would do anything for them.

Danny is survived by his wife Kim, two sons Brandon/Stella Whitlock and their two sons, Gunnar and Ryder.  Zak/Katie Whitlock and their two daughters, Nevaeh and Demi.  His brother Brian/Debbie Ballard, and his mother Jean Ballard.  Danny was preceded into death by his father Ralph E. Ballard, and his grandson Ridge E. Whitlock.

A celebration of life will be held June 14 ^th at 3:30 PM at his family farm in Culdesac at 29212 Mission Cr. Road.  Hamburgers and beers will be served.  Danny would appreciate all of his "boys" to show up in their work boots and "have a beer!".  Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, Danny would have appreciated all donations sent to the Jackson-Baldwin Foundation.  Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com

Even as a kid he loved playing in the dirt.