Larry Wayne Balog, late of Weyburn, SK, passed away November 15, 2017 at the age of 74 years. Larry was predeceased his parents: Helen and Geza; sister Dianna Medea. Larry is survived by his loving wife Joyce; daughter Tara (Ordean) Kolke and their children: Rylan and Taelyn, son Tyson (Kristin) Balog and their children: Sutter, Katherine and Zack; brother Richard (Pat) Balog; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Larry was born March 6,1943 in Kipling SK, son to Geza and Helen Balog. Larry lived on a farm near Bender for his childhood years, in grade six he moved to Kipling for his middle and high school years, graduating in 1961. Following high school, he attended Teachers College in Regina. He started his teaching career in Indian Head, Sask. in 1962 with an interim certificate, teaching a grade six class. In 1963, he returned to University for one term. In 1964, he returned back to Indian Head, teaching grades seven and eight for three years and was also the assistant band director of the Indian Head Junior Band. During these three years of teaching, he took night classes and summer school classes. In 1966, he returned to the University of Regina to complete his degree. On July 9th, 1966, Larry married his high school sweetheart and lifetime partner, Joyce; eventually having two children, Tara and Tyson. Larry was hired by the Regina Board of Education as a music Instructor for Martin Collegiate. While there, his choir won a city Choral Competition and he started a new band and string program. After one year in Regina, he was offered a music instructor’s position at the Weyburn Junior High School. For the next thirteen years, from 1968 to 1981 he was the Band Director at the Weyburn Junior High School and the Weyburn Comprehensive High School. During the summer of 1974 and 75, he was also selected as a trumpet instructor at the Summer School of the Arts at Fort San, SK. In 1981, he was transferred to Souris Elementary School as vice-principal, spending six years there. In 1987, he was transferred to Haig Elementary School where he spent his last six years of teaching. Larry was actively involved in the community for many, many years. He served on the Weyburn Music Festival executive for six years, and the Weyburn Arts Council for three years. He served on the Weyburn Minor Ball executive for fourteen years, and coached and managed baseball for a total of twenty-five years. He was an executive member, coach and manager on the Weyburn Minor Hockey Association for fourteen years as well. In the early 80’s he was very involved in the whole process of building the Tom Zandee Sports Arena. Larry was also a director of the Sr. A Devils and the Weyburn Red Wing Hockey Club each for three years. Provincially, he was a director on the Saskatchewan Baseball Association for three years from 1989-1991. He was also the president of the Saskatchewan Baseball Coaches Association in the early 90’s. Larry was honoured, in his baseball coaching career, to have won four provincial baseball championships; which one of those years, 1989, his midget baseball team won the award for the best minor team in the province. As well, he received “Top Coach/Manager in Saskatchewan” for the 1988 baseball season. Larry also played a major role in the building of Tom Laing Park in 1988. In 1995, Larry played an instrumental part in organizing/developing the Weyburn Sr. Beavers Baseball Club and was the VP of operations from 1995-98. During that time frame, the team won a Western Canadian Championship (1995), a National Sr. A Baseball Championship (1996), and he received the Sask. Baseball Association “Builder of the Year” award (1995). Larry was a huge Saskatchewan Rough Rider fan. Larry and Joyce have had season tickets since 1966 and until his illness, had only missed one game the entire time. Once Larry retired from teaching, he started a carpentry business doing what he loved as a hobby and got to meet and talk to people, again what he liked to do. It was apparent Larry loved to travel; he travelled all across Canada and the United States, seeing every province and state. He enjoyed hot destinations like; Australia,Hawaii, Bahamas, Dominican, Cuba, Jamaica, Caracas, numerous cruises and Mexico (which he took the whole family). He would enjoy the scenery and stopped to talk to a stranger to engage in a conversation. And anyone who had a conversation with Larry would also know that he always loved a good joke. It was evident Larry loved kids, teaching and coaching them. As time went on, grand children were soon into the picture and Larry devoted his time to being with them; either by coming for visits, family functions or his most favourite thing to do, watching them all play sports. he was a very devoted family man, and had very much enjoyed being around them and would do anything for them like; build additions, houses, garden sheds, etc., No hesitations!! In his later years, he attended coffee row university, where he listened attentively and received his masters degree in BS! Larry can now watch every one of his grand kids events at any time and not miss a one! A Celebration of Larry’s life was held Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. from McKenna Hall, Weyburn, SK. For family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Larry may be made to The Comprehensive Band Program, ATT: Tanya Cameron, 629 King Street, Weyburn, SK, S4H 2S5 or to Weyburn Minor Ball Association, ATT: Facility Development,Box 811, Weyburn, SK S4H 2L1. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn, SK (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com “Celebrating Life, One Family at a Time”
