Duel Ryon Ballard III

Duel Ryon Ballard, III, 67, of Seaford, Delaware went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 9, 2021. Duel was born on May 21, 1954, in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, the son of Duel Ryon Ballard, Jr. and Nathalie Cameron (Ewing) Ballard of North Hero, Vermont. Duel graduated from Fort Hunt High School in Mt. Vernon, Virginia where he ran track relay and hurdles. He was an oarsman for the Fort Hunt High School crew. He rowed lightweight eight and pair. They were national champions and were eligible to row in the Henley Royal Regatta in England. After high school, he attended Salisbury University majoring in Business. Duel has always continued close relationships with his high school and college classmates. He followed his passion in the food industry and culinary arts working with professional chefs during the Lake Placid Olympics. He went to Stowe, Vermont where he successfully opened several restaurants such as Doolin’ Bagels, Wild Thyme, Steak and Beef House and his favorite restaurant, The Flying Tomato where he served many celebrities and the world champion New York Giants. Later, Duel went to work for food sales marketing for fifteen years. After becoming a father, he took his love for sports to another level and coached his son, Taylor and friends; on their football, lacrosse, soccer, and little league baseball teams. With Mark Quillen, Duel was co-founder of the Delmar Lacrosse Program. He coached several years as the assistant coach for the Delmar High School lacrosse team. Duel was also the Delmar High School Cross Country Coach. He was loved by all student athletes and became a father figure to many. Duel continued his culinary passion by teaching the “Now We’re Cooking” Program as “Chef Duel” at First State Community Action. He taught cooking, job skills in the food industry and food safety to students in special education from several different school districts. He changed the lives of so many, giving them so much joy, confidence, and the skills to live independently and be successful in a career. In addition, to cooking, Duel was also very passionate about sports and was an avid Washington Redskins fan. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and spending time with family. Duel was part of the Crossroad Community Church family where he married his wife Lori and dedicated their daughter, Nathalie Grace to the church. Duel is known for his contagious smile, laugh, enthusiasm, and giving God’s love to all. Duel enjoyed traveling and every year looking forward to the annual family trip to Vermont, one of his favorite places to visit. After coaching for many years, Duel proudly became a stay-at-home Dad. He continuously enjoyed teaching, coaching, cooking and sharing all the joys of life with her. He will be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father, brother, son, and great friend (known as family) to many. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife Lori Ann (Stakiel) Ballard; son, Taylor Ryon Ballard and wife Kristen of Ocean City, Maryland; daughter, Nathalie Grace Ballard; brother, Cameron Joseph Ballard and wife Jill of Bryans Road, Maryland; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by sisters, Kathy Winters and Cindy Livesey. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 17, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, and on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Crossroad Community Church, 20684 State Forest Rd, Georgetown, DE 19947, where a funeral service will begin at 1:00. Pastor Marvin Jones will officiate. Interment will follow at Melson’s Cemetery in Delmar. In memory of Duel, contributions may be sent to the Kid's Club Fund for Nathalie’s education at Tidemark Federal Credit Union in Seaford. Arrangements are in in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Duel Ryon Ballard III

May 21, 1954 - September 9, 2021