Michael Scott Ballard, age 53, passed away on February 2nd at 1:15 pm in his home in Myrtle Beach, SC surrounded by his loving family.

Michael was born and raised in Asheville, NC where he participated in many different types of sports, but ultimately fell in love with wrestling. His love of this sport led to many accomplishments including winning the NC State Heavyweight Champion title in 1988 and contributing to the University of North Carolina's ACC Championship win in 1992. He carried his passion for wrestling along with all other sports throughout the rest of his life.

Michael was a long-time coach, teacher, and friend who touched the lives of so many with his kindness, love, and crazy (sometimes dark) humor. He never met a stranger and treated everyone he met with the same amount of kindness and silliness no matter how long he knew you. This love of people along with his love of history is what drove his passion for teaching. He genuinely loved every one of his students and co-workers but loved playing pranks on them the most.

In November 2017, Michael was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and just like he did with his athletics, coaching, and teaching, he never ever gave up, which allowed him to fight for over six years. Something that is truly unheard of with pancreatic cancer. He faced his disease the same way he faced everything else, with unwavering faith and an endless amount of humor. He loved life and he loved his people more than anything and his amazing soul will truly be missed.

Michael is preceded in death by his grandparents, Emory Ernest & Zola Barrett Briggs; and William Orns & Gerthie Chandler Ballard.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carey Candler Ballard; two children, Cloie D. Ballard, and Mal A. Ballard; parents, William Shelby Ballard, and Loretta Briggs Ballard; and mother-in-law Brenda P. Candler.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday February 10, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral and Cremation Service. Reverends Allen Rash and Scott Reece will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 2:00 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, following the service.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations go to the North Buncombe High School Wrestling Program, https://nbhs.buncombeschools.org/ or https://gofund.me/e6d7b0ad.