Obituaries
• Robert Turner “Bob” Ballenger, 91, of Garden City, died at his ranch May 16, 2009, and was buried in the Monteval Cemetery in Sterling City, Texas.
Bob was born May 14, 1918, in Henderson, Texas, to Robert Turner and Ivy D. Ballenger. After graduating from Henderson High School, he received a BS in business administration with a minor in economics from Texas Christian University in 1939. At TCU, he was a member of the Bryson Literary Club and played trumpet in the swing band.
Following graduation, Bob made his home in Glasscock County, ranching in Glasscock and Upton Counties for the rest of his life. He raised Hereford cattle, black Angus cattle, quarter horses and at one time, was the largest Rambouillet sheep producer in Texas. He was recently honored by the American Quarter Horse Association, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for his breeding of quarter horses for over 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Francys Walls; a brother-in-law Bill Walls; sister-in-law Joyce Ballenger; a nephew Bill Walls. Survivors include three daughters, Lynda Ruth Ballenger Glass and husband Larry of Sterling City, Barba Sue Ballenger Keene and husband David of Plano, and Francys Ann Ballenger of Dallas; two brothers, Max Ballenger and wife Jean of Henderson, Texas, and Dan Ballenger of Kilgore, Texas; four grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
• F. T. "Tommy" Carstensen, "Best Dad Ever,” 71, of Garden City, died on May 21, 2009, at his residence and was buried at Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring, Texas.
He was born Oct. 24, 1937, in Mitchell County, Texas, to Fred and Naomi Carstensen and married Nelda Sutphen on June 28, 1957, in Flower Grove, Texas.
Tommy grew up in the Flower Grove Community and graduated from Flower Grove High School. He farmed for a number of years in Glasscock County and worked for the County of Glasscock for 16 years as a maintainer operator before retiring due to health reasons. He was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Garden City and a member of the Senior Citizen's group. He loved his grandkids and enjoyed square dancing, hunting, fishing and camping.
Survivors include his wife, Nelda Carstensen of Garden City; four daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Gene Pond of Haltom City, Tonya and Chuck Reese of Carrollton, Lisa and Nick Reyna of Big Spring and Jeannie and Lupe Villafranco of Midland; one brother, Pat Carstensen of Knott; four sisters, Ruby McCarty, Nellie Van Den Biggeilaar and Myrtle Sparks all of Sanger and Lucille Farrington of Big Spring; five grandchildren, Matthew, Cory and Jarrett Reyna and, Megan and Dylan Villafranco.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, C. J. Carstensen, Andy Carstensen, Fred Carstensen, Jr. and Arthur Carstensen.
The family suggests memorials be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 4601 50th Street, Suite 101, Lubbock, Texas 79414-3514 or to the American Diabetes Association, 3001 N. Big Spring, Midland, Texas 79705 or to a favorite charity.