SFC James Craig Balch, 60, died Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 of complications from a very short battle with cancer. He took his last breath surrounded by his family at the veterans hospital in Little Rock, Ark.
Balch was born March 22, 1961 in Little Rock, Ark., to the union of the late Dr. James I. and Linda M. Balch.
Balch was a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, having deployed with the Arkansas National Guard’s 148th Medical Evacuation Hospital. Balch served in the Arkansas National Guard for almost 28 years.
Balch leaves behind his wife of 15 years, Dr. Ying Hua Gao-Balch; daughter Cloann Jones and daughter Jaycie Jones; son Chaz M. Balch, wife Mindy J. and children Abigail J., Dillon M. and Madelyn R.; sister Lisa Lynn Balch; and brother John Balch, wife Mary and children Sutton and Mary Grace.
Balch will be interred at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, Ark., on Friday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m., under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home. The cemetery is located at 1501 W. Maryland Ave.
Visitation will be Veterans Day Thursday, Nov. 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, Ark. The funeral home’s website is: smithfamilycares.com
Balch, known as J.C. among his friends, was a fun-loving, hard-rocking member of the De Queen High School Class of 1979 who once almost set the school auditorium on fire during a talent show when he breathed fire like KISS’ Gene Simmons.
In lieu of flowers, do something fun that makes you laugh and “Rock and Rock All Nite.”
