Jess Carl Ball
Jess Carl Ball was born July 24, 1915, to the late Maude Ethel (Vance) Ball and John William Ball in Isabelle (Luzerne Township), Pa. In addition to his parents, Jess was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Zola Mary Haas, Dewaine George Ball, John Arthur Ball, Cora Ethel Cross, Ruth Ellen Bryan, Harry Ellis Ball, Carl Alvin Ball, Wilbur Ball, and Robert Edward Ball.
Dad passed away from this world and went to be with the Lord on February 1, 2007, after an illness valiantly borne. He faced his burdens and struggles in these last years with an inspiring fortitude. His fighting spirit will live on in those who are duty bound to their faith, their flag, and their family.
Dad worked for U.S. Steel from 1934 to 1972 in the Edenborn, Gates, Filbert, Palmer, Ronco, and Phillips locations. His last position, before retiring, being in the Computer Control Section in Pittsburgh. He came out of retirement to be the Director of the Laurel Rest Home in Uniontown for two years, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Dad’s “happiest” achievement and greatest blessing happened on April 17, 1938, when he married our Mom, (Laura Charlotte Anderson), the love of his life. They were a real team until Mom went to be with God on December 17, 1995. They had been married 57 years, 8 months.
His “greatest” achievements were as a husband to his wife, father to his children, grandfather and great grandfather, son to his precious Mom (Gram), brother to his siblings, uncle to many nieces and nephews, and friend to many.
Dad and Mom, -he called her “Kid”, enjoyed traveling and visiting their family in different parts of the country after retiring.
The door was always open at their home at 95 Pennsylvania Avenue for a place to rest for a night (or longer) and an extra plate would be set for a good hot meal prepared by loving hands. Dad was a great cook and was especially known for his spaghetti sauce.
Dad was a long time member of the Lions and the Elks clubs. He was a member of the Third Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. Dad was the first Cub Master for the Cub Scout Pack formed by the Third Presbyterian Church in 1954.
Above all, Dad loved his family and they returned that love. He loved the sound of Big Band Music, was a fantastic dancer, and a sharp-dressed man at all times. Dad always looked good, but he never looked better than now, -Dressed in God’s Grace.
Dad accomplished anything he put his mind to and gave much attention to details. He taught his children to be respectful and respectable, loyal to one another, thick-skinned rather than thin, ambitious in all noble pursuits, to be good and decent citizens.
Dad also taught us to never, never give up and always to do our very best in any endeavor.
He looked forward each year for the Pittsburgh Steelers season and relished each game on TV.
We are grateful for our father’s life, -we will miss him dearly, remember him always, and love him forever.
Our memories will sustain us until we reunite with our parents once again in Heaven. We know welcoming Dad to Paradise was our wonderful mother (Charlotte, his adored “kid”.)
The family desires to acknowledge and extend their appreciation for the expressions of sympathy and support. They ask for your continued prayers and thoughts during this time.
Our lives have been enriched and blessed by the Life that he led and the man that he was.
“I have a goodly heritage.” Psalms 16:6
A father’s legacy is not riches, possessions, or worldly goods of any kind. It is the way he lived, the lives he touched, the promises he kept. It is the kind of man he was.
WE THANK GOD FOR THE TIME WE HAD.
The legacy of Jess Ball will live on through his family:
Jess is survived by his loving family: Children: J. C. Ball and wife Jackie of Juno Beach, Fla., Roland William Ball and wife Gayle of Plano, Tx., Jack Vance Ball and wife Patti Jo of Mesquite, Tx., Arthur Wayne Ball and wife Sylvia of Plano, Tx., Laura Charlotte Ball and David Hoing of Garland, Tx., Robert Vernon Ball and wife Maria of Wylie, Tx., Jayne Anderson Judy and husband Howard E. of Uniontown, Pa.; Grandchildren: Lisa Ann Morgan, Wyandotte, Mich., Roland William Ball Jr. and wife Julie, Prosper, Tx., Jay C. Ball, Delray, Fla., Shawn Ann Goralzick and husband James, Pittsburgh, Pa., Jamie G. Richardson and husband Gex, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Christopher R. Volpe, Broadview Heights, Ohio, Kimberly Shumway and husband Matthew McKinney, Tx., Kevin Arthur Ball, Plano, Tx., David A. Judy and wife Jennifer, Raleigh, N.C., Laura Kelli Grubbs and husband Michael Sachse, Tx., Daniel Judy, Connellsville, Pa., Karla Beth Naftel and husband Michael, Plano, Tx., Robbie V. Ball, Wylie, Tx., Bradley A. Ball, Wylie, Tx., Laura J. Ball, Mesquite, Tx., Rachel Rahne Judy, Uniontown, Pa., Jennifer Ball, Wylie, Tx.; Great-Grandchildren: T. J. and Alexandra Bohne, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Connor and Colton Richardson, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Reagan, Reese, and Riley Noel Ball, Prosper, Tx., Anthony and Alexander Morgan, Wyandotte, Mich., Stephen, Mary Katherine, and Sarah Shumway, McKinney, Tx., Brandon and Ashley Ball, Allen, Tx., Katelyn Naftel, Plano, Tx., Braden M. Grubbs, Sachse, Tx., and Katherine and Erik Judy, Raleigh, N.C.; his brother, Charles William Ball, and his sister, Betty Jane Keefe.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC., 80 Morgantown Street in Uniontown, Pa., where the family received friends in the funeral home on Sunday, February 4, 2007, from Noon until 2 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m.
Visitation will continue in the THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 425 Union Street, Uniontown, today (Monday, February 5, 2007) from 10 until 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. with the Rev. William D. Rodahaver officiating.
Jess will be laid to rest next to his wife at Flatwoods Cemetery. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
Memorial e-mails may be sent to the family at memorials@adferguson.com.
To the Glory of God and His gift of eternal life and in celebration of the life of Jess C. Ball, memorials may be made to charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Jess’ doctors, nurses, hospital workers and caregivers for their loving services.