Obituary of Aaron Michael Christian Ballard

Aaron Michael Christian Ballard, 30 was called home on May 2, 2019.

Aaron was born on October 27, 1988  to Moses Alfonso Ballard and Susie Ann McFarland, in Utica, NY, where he was educated.  He worked in landscaping and later became a teamworker at KFC in New Hartford, NY.  This was a perfect position for him, he always had a kind word for anyone he came in contact with, beit a customer, a friend or someone who needed a “smile”.  

Aaron helped many of the homeless, treated them as if they were family, protect them when he saw an injustice.  He never coonsidered family as being just “blood”, he considered family as anyone who entered into his life.  And family was incredibly important to him,  he was going to be a first time grandfather and was looking forward to holding and spoiling his grandchild.

Aaron was also an avid fisherman, and his partner in crime was his cousin, Michael J. McFarland, Jr.  Not only did they fish together, but they enjoyed many endeavors, they were born just a few days apart so the connection was incredibly special.  Not only was fishing a favorite pastime, he was also someone who loved to cook, which he learned from his father.  Cooking and eating went hand in hand.  He also loved to make videos and sing songs to many people and dance with his children.  

The family that is celebrating Aaron’s life are his children; daughters:  Kyurstin, Aliyah, Anilah and Zayonna; sons: Maliki and Jaheim; his parents: Moses Alfonso Ballard and Susie Ann McFarland; grandfather Melvin Williams; sisters: Tanya Maxwell McFarland, Julene (Travis Marshall) Gocebe; Angela (Jack) Vilayvanh; Je’Nay (Quinshawn Flowers) Ballard; brothers: Cody Owens, Julius C. (Melissa Bailey) Brown, III; Moses Alfonso, Jr.; Keymi Ballard; uncle Michael J. (RoseMarie) McFarland who was an integral part of Aaron’s life; uncle Michael Williams, uncle Lorenzo Ballard, uncle Clifford Williams and aunt Melissa Williams; cousins Sean and Jeffrey Perham as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

The family asked to make a special acknowledgment to Ericka Sageer, Jennifer Laslowski and Amanda Budzynski. 

Aaron was predeceased by his daughter Makiya Chan’el Ballard, son Aaron Ballard II, granparents Howard andClara McFarland, grandparents James and Jean Guilford and brother Julius Charles Brown, Jr.

Thank you to all that have extended their expressions of sympathy during this time of grief.