Well-known former journalist, public service leader dies

A Harlan native known for his careers in journalism and public service died Thursday.

Ewell Herman Balltrip, 68, of Somerset died at Central Baptist Hospital, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with chronic illness.

"He was a go-to guy when state and national news would come to Harlan to cover events," said Balltrip's friend Jeff Phillips.

Balltrip graduated from Harlan High School and Baylor University. His career in community journalism and public service spanned almost 50 years. He went from an intern to the publisher of The Harlan Daily Enterprise, moved on to the New York Times Company in Middlesboro, Ky. and Dyersburg, Tn., and will soon be inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame at the end of this month.

"He cared about the people of the region and wanted to make it better for everybody," said Phillips.

As a public service leader, Balltrip was on Governor Paul Patton's staff and headed the Kentucky Appalachian Commission.

For some, he was a mentor who was not afraid to teach people the hard way.

"One day he threw a book at me, it almost hit me but it got my attention and I said what in the world was that and he goes it's a dictionary use it," said WKYT journalist Barbara Bailey.

Balltrip was also a family man. His children, Amanda and Andy, say he was a champion for Eastern Kentucky and their family.

"He had great taste too, he never picked out a gown that wasn't just spot on," said Amanda.

Amanda and Andy said their dad was good at everything he did.

"Great sense of humor, humble, comforting, patient, I think he needed it with both of us," said Amanda.

He served on multiple education and scholarship boards and committees in Harlan County and throughout Kentucky, including the Harlan County Community Scholarship Fund and the Challenger Learning Center in Hazard.

"He fought to make sure life was better in eastern and southern Kentucky," said Bailey.

Balltrip is also known for his contributions to activities focused on economic and community development in Eastern Kentucky. At the time of his death, he was the founding executive and president/CEO of The National Institute For Hometown Security, a non-profit organization contracted to the US Department of Homeland Security.

US Representative Hal Rogers made the following statement about Balltrip:

Southern Oaks Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. The visitation was held at the funeral home Sunday, March 10, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The funeral service followed.

Below is a video of a portion of a WYMT Issues and Answers from 1996 with host Tony Turner and Ewell Balltrip as a guest speaker. If you are viewing on a mobile app, click the link to see on a web browser.