The Honorable Judge Richard Thomas Ballinger

The Honorable Judge Richard Thomas Ballinger, 62, of Derby, KS, passed away at home, Friday, January 23, 2015. Richard was born February 19, 1952 in Topeka, Kansas. He loved helping people and being of service to his community. His family was the most important thing to him. He loved WSU sports and riding around the country on his Harley with the Mulvane American Legion Post #136. During his 20+ years as a judicial court judge, he was most proud of the hundreds of families he helped through adoptions and the hundreds of couples he married. Richard is survived by his children; daughter Britani Bruster and husband Jacob of Edmond, OK, son Travis Ballinger and wife Rebekah of Derby, Kansas; stepson Eric Simmons and wife, Brekke of Wichita, Kansas; stepdaughter Anna Dennis and fiancée Mitch Luciano of Jacksonville, Florida, along with seven grandchildren with one on the way. He is also survived by siblings, brother Terry Ballinger and sister Detha Kemp. He was preceded in death by his parents, The Honorable Judge and Mrs. Owen Ballinger. A celebration of life service will be held at 1:30 pm, Sunday, January 25, at Botanica, 701 Amidon Street, Wichita, Kansas 67203. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Legion Post #136 www.al136.com, and Harry Hynes Hospice www.hynesmemorial.org