A funeral service to honor and celebrate the life of Roger Dale Ballenger will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2019, at First Baptist Church of Okmulgee with pastor Jonathan Hanshaw officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service at the Okmulgee Cemetery.
Roger Dale Ballenger was born September 25, 1950 in Okmulgee, OK to Leonard and Norma (Harris) Ballenger. He attended Okmulgee Public Schools where he excelled in sports including football, track, baseball, and basketball. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War (1969-1973) receiving training in aviation electronics. After his Naval service, he attended classes at Okmulgee Tech where he received training to be an apprentice electrician. After working construction jobs for a time, he entered into business with his partner, Dennis Shields, and became part owner of Abrams Electric in Okmulgee in 1979. He began his public service in 1983 when he was appointed to the Okmulgee City Council. He served on the city council until his election to the Okmulgee Board of County Commissioners in 1991. Also in 1991, he married his best friend and love, Cimone. They owned and operated their Beefmaster Cattle Operation, RC Cattle Company, on their ranch near Wilson, Oklahoma for many years. After 16 years as a County Commissioner, he was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate, District 8, in 2006 and served 8 years as a state senator. In 2014, he was appointed the City Manager of his beloved hometown Okmulgee where he served until his passing. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and playing golf with his brother George, Clay, Representative Fetgatter and his good friend, Chief Ernie Ledbetter. He also enjoyed making crafts and woodworking with Cimone.
Roger is preceded in death by his father, Leonard Ballenger, his brother, Roy Ballenger, his nephew, Austin Ballenger, and his sister-in-law, Mona Smalling Taylor.
Survivors include his wife, Cimone Smalling Ballenger of the home, mother, Norma Ballenger of Okmulgee; brother George Ballenger and wife Louise of Okmulgee; daughter, Kim Ballenger Fetgatter and husband State Representative Scott Fetgatter of Okmulgee; son, Clay Ballenger and wife Jami of Tulsa; step-daughter, Lindsay Morrow Nelson and husband Brian of Glenpool; grandchildren, Meagan Fetgatter Horton, Cody Fetgatter, Wyatt Ballenger, Carrie Ballenger, and Aaron Nelson; and three great-grandchildren, Braylee, Kimber, and Stapp; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.
Pallbearers include Cody Fetgatter, Wyatt Ballenger, David Nelson, Chief Bruce Swearingen, Ricky Pearson, Chief Joe Prentice.
