Rev. Harold Eugene Ball

REV. HAROLD EUGENE BALL The Rev. Harold Eugene Ball, 79, of Springfield, MO, went home to be with his Lord on March 29, 2007 at The Neighbors at Quail Creek in Springfield. He was born March 12, 1928 in Fort Scott, KS, the son of Roy R. and Iva J. Nation Ball. He grew up in rural Linn County, KS and attended one-room grade schools, graduating from Mound City High School in the class of 1945. He attended Kansas University, Pittsburg State, and achieved his Bachelor of Arts in Bible at Manhattan Bible College, Manhattan, KS. He earned his Master of Divinity from The Graduate Seminary of Phillips University in Enid, OK. On June 22, 1947, he was united in marriage with Glenda M. Lamb and they spent the next 59 years together. They became the parents of two sons. The young couple farmed until late 1950 when they both made a dedication to the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and enjoyed working together in different opportunities of ministry. Both served on district and state boards of Missouri churches, and Harold was Moderator of the churches in Northwest Missouri for 3 years. He had a special interest in youth, and served in youth camps for a number of years. He was president of the Kansas Christian Ministers Institute in 1969. He served as pastor at Helena, OK; LaCygne and Baxter Springs, KS; and Hume and Cedar Grove, Mountain Grove, Clinton, Bolivar and Albany, MO, retiring in December 1992 after 42 years of active ministry. Following retirement, he and Glenda lived in Bolivar for 13 years, moving to a retirement community in Springfield in January 2006. Harold was an active member of South Street Christian Church in Springfield as long as his health permitted. His cheerful, welcoming spirit and his strong faith inspired many in the congregation as well as the community. Harold enjoyed the local communities where he was active in ministerial alliances and service clubs that reached out to those in need. He was busy with the International Optimist Club, where he held offices in three different clubs, including Distinguished President and Distinguished Lt. Governor, with 32 years of perfect attendance. He had several hobbies. Genealogy had a fifty-year claim on his time. He and Glenda did research on both of their families and he wrote a book on the Ball family entitled From Saddle Bags to Satellites, covering the ancestry and descendants of Shadrach Ball, his great-great-grandfather. Harold was also a great-great-grandson of Temple Wayne, one of the original Jayhawkers. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, one infant sister, Ivaleen Ruth, an infant brother, Clarence LeRoy, his father- and mother-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and a special cousin, Nadine Ball, who was like his sister, as well as several other cousins, aunts and uncles. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Glenda; their sons Robert Allen and wife Laura of Humboldt, KS; and Richard Arthur and wife Jan of Argyle, TX; seven grandchildren, Tony Ball and wife Lisa of Wiley, TX; Jason Ball and wife Crystal of Savannah, TX; Robbie Ball of Humboldt, KS; Kellie Ball of Argyle, TX; James A. Ball, Joanna Ball and Jessica Ball of Kansas; three step-grandchildren, Dwane Griffiths and wife Darlene, Joe Griffiths and Dawna Griffiths; one great-granddaughter and 8 step-great-grandchildren; three aunts, Lena Spencer of Vancouver, WA, Virgie Jones of Lincoln, AR, and Katheryn McHone of Virginia Beach, VA; three sisters-in-law, Voneta Lewis of Fort Scott, KS; LaVerne McGee and husband Ernest of Centerville, KS; Marjorie Campbell of Raytown, MO; and one brother-in-law, LeRoy Lamb and wife Nadine of Mound City, KS. He will be missed by many relatives and cherished friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, at South Street Christian Church, Springfield. With Rev. George Lattimer and Rev. Janet Givens officiating. Musical soloist will be Marty Holder and the organist will be Mark Givens. Interment will be at 4:30 p.m. at Woodland Cemetery in Mound City, KS. Services are under the direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Casketbearers will be Tony Ball, Jason Ball, Robbie Ball, Jeremy Davis, John Hale, Jesse Chance, Roger Swanagon, and Rick Coursey. Memorial contributions may be made to the South Street Christian Church, 500 South St., Springfield, MO 65806 Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Rev. Harold Eugene Ball

March 12, 1928 - March 29, 2007