Ogden Lionel "Buddy" Ballentine

Ogden Lionel “Buddy” Ballentine, Jr., age 75 of Dayton, passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. He was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 8, 1949, the son of the late Ogden Lionel Ballentine, Sr., and Ronelle (Brock) Ballentine.

Buddy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education from Florida Atlantic University and a Master’s degree in Psychology from Lone Mountain University in California. Buddy moved to Dayton in 1975 and was a teacher and guidance counselor at Rhea County High School for over 20 years. He was also employed for ten years as a security guard at TVA. He was a member of the Dayton Optimist Club, enjoyed square dancing, and was a mentor at Walker State Prison in Georgia. He was an active member of Grace Bible Church in Dayton where he held various leadership offices.

Buddy is survived by his wife of 56 years, Susan (Hearin) Ballentine of Dayton; his daughter, Karie (Jim) Canestrari of Greeneville, Tennessee; his sister, Sandi (Charlie) Baughman of Dayton; his brother, Rodney Ballentine of Miami, Florida; his many cousins; and his nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at Grace Bible Church on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Jim Woychuk officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

The service will be livestreamed from the home page of Grace Bible Church www.gbcdayton.org for those unable to attend.

Memorial contributions in Buddy’s name may be made to Our Father’s House www.fathershousetn.org , and Metanoia Prison Ministries – Account 1796, PO Box 890233, Charlotte, NC 28289. These ministries were very dear to Buddy’s heart.

Please share your memories and photos of Buddy on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee.