Hayden George Ballou, 15, of Carlton, Kansas, passed away Sunday, November 10th, at St. Louis Children Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

Hayden was born in Salina, Kansas on July 20, 2009, a son of Ashley Nicole (Russell) and William Hayden Ballou.

Hayden lived his life in a way we should all strive for. He cared deeply for others. Seen the good in every situation and person. Always gave his best efforts and didn’t know the word give up.

Hayden’s world revolved around his cancer journey. But he never let that stop him. He loved the great outdoors. He hunted anything that moved. If it wasn’t hunting season, it was fishing season. He also enjoyed camping, golf, disc golf, and corn hole. Anything really that got him outdoors.

Hayden loved his family, friends, and his dog Hunter above all else. He had a soft spot for kids younger than him. It did not matter how badly he was hurting or how sick he was. He was always worried about others and put them before himself. He had a fierce competitive side, but always knew when to hold back to give others a sporting chance. He encouraged everyone to do their best and loved seeing others succeed even if they did better than him.

Hayden truly was a model of what living life to the fullest looked like. He worked hard, played hard, and loved hard. He had very few complaints. He was always just a genuinely happy, loving, and peaceful person.

May we all cherish the very short time we got on this earth with Hayden. May we let his memory remind us to do better and be better. When life gets tough remember Hayden’s strength and positivity. He is a light in everyone’s life that met him.

Survivors include his parents, Ashley and William Ballou and three sisters, Payton Ballou, Aspen Ballou, Ellason Ballou, all of Carlton, Kansas.

Hayden is also survived by his grandparents, Karlene and Steve Lawson, Mike Russell, Connie and Cody Rogers, Dave Ballou; great grandparents, Lila Neber, Hayden and Georgana Ballou; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family members.

He is preceded in death by his great grandparents, Frank and Betty Russell, Frank Neber, Rhonda Sturm, and George and Mary Gantt.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 7:00 PM, Friday, November 22nd at Carlson – Geisendorf Funeral Home & Crematory and the family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

The Funeral Ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 23rd, The Well, 2095 E. Waterwell Rd, Salina, with Pastor Dave Henry officiating.

Cremation will follow the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Carlson – Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas.

To send online condolences to the family, visit the funeral home website at www.carlsonfh.net or on the Facebook page.