George Ballas

George Ballas
Born
George Charles Ballas

(1925-06-28)June 28, 1925
DiedJune 25, 2011(2011-06-25) (aged 85)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
OccupationEntrepreneur
Known forFounder of Weed Eater
Spouse
Maria Marulanda
(m. 1951)
Children5, including Corky Ballas
RelativesMark Ballas (grandson)
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1942–1953
CommandsBombardier and Second Lt. and OSI Agent
Battles / warsWorld War II
Korean War

George Charles Ballas Sr. (June 28, 1925 – June 25, 2011) was an American entrepreneur. He invented the first string trimmer, known as the Weed Eater in 1971. He was the father of ballroom dancer Corky Ballas and grandfather of professional dancer Mark Ballas of Dancing with the Stars.