John Olan Balsiger

John Olan Balsiger was born November 16, 1937 in Guthrie, Oklahoma to Albert Herman Balsiger and Vera Linor (Johnson) Balsiger and left this life on August 11, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

John is survived by his three daughters Kelli, Ammi, and Barri; wife, Nola Beth Balsiger; daughter Sandy; and son Mark; as well as many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren who he loved dearly.

John was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was a Certified Cowboy and a collector and trader of Western Memorabilia. John spent 46 years in Aviation which began in 1964. As John was cowboying at a ranch south of Guthrie, he drove by the airport every day. At that time, he decided he wanted to be a commercial pilot and started taking flying lessons. Shortly thereafter, he ended up in St. Louis, Missouri helping develop the Spirit of St. Louis Airport which at the time was largely privately owned and is now one of the largest general aviation corporate airports in the country. He then went on to work with Midcoast Aviation for 28 years. In 1999, he began working as the Midwest/ Southwest Regional Representative with the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association). He supported Business Aviation groups and was a member of several airport advisory boards as well as becoming one of the original members of the Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport Board. In 2009, John retired and devoted his time to his wife, Nola Beth and his art gallery, Old West Collectables.

John will be missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and many members of the NBAA.

Memorial services for John will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, August 18, 2023 at Smith Memorial Chapel. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.

There will not be any visitation.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www. smithgallo.com.