Michael Forrest Ball

1956 - 2025

Michael Forrest Ball was born Micheal Forrest Weldon on December 13, 1956, in Bishop, CA, to James and Elsie Kothman Weldon, who married in 1955. However, his father and the man he called "Dad" was Charles Stanford "Stan" Ball, who married Elsie in 1960, having two more children, Mike's sisters, and remained married until Elsie's death in 2016. Mike passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025, embraced by family on earth and welcomed by family in heaven.
Growing up in Bishop offered Mike the quintessential childhood of days filled with adventures. Whether neighborhood bike rides or a game of kick-the-can, exploring or swimming the canal, you can bet cousins Sue or Leida were alongside him. A dime in their pocket ensured a bag full of penny candy or an afternoon at the Bishop Theater. It was a childhood deep-rooted in family that included picnics, potlucks, card games, fishing, hunting, wooding, and church, and always included cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Mike took great joy participating in and later hosting family events. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. Mike was a great brother, a stellar uncle, a devoted son, and a loyal friend and was treasured by all of them.
As a teen, Mike was active in the Grace Lutheran Church, which provided a foundation of faith maintained throughout his life. It was in those same teenage years Mike traded his bike for the passenger seat of his best friend, Garrit's, 1960 GMC truck. It was the means of freedom every teen hopes for and a time among the best of a lifetime of memories. "He was not only the kindest and most caring individual I have ever known but he was also the most loyal. He was not just a friend he was the brother I never had" (Garrit Schilder).
Mike graduated from Bishop Union High School in 1975 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Art in Education. After college Mike helped create two very successful, long-standing businesses in Bishop. He was an independent contractor working for adults with developmental disabilities and he opened Hospice Thrift Store with his cousin, Steve Kothman. Mike served his community for over three decades until his diagnosis of Early-onset Alzheimer's Disease in 2015.
Mike was fortunate to be able to spend most of the last ten years of his life in his home that he and his father built together, a time he cherished, and in the homes of his family with care from his sisters, nieces, nephews, nephew in-law, great niece, cousins, friends, and IHSS caretakers. Mikes last year was at Bishop Care Center, still supported by family, and where he was loved by many staff, as his kind nature and fun personality shone through. Alzheimer's took many things from Mike however it couldn't take his enduring sweet heart and spirit. "I have never met anyone who could compare to his gentle spirit, abundant kindness, his respect for family and friends, and the way he demonstrated such care for others" (Leida Thomas). Mike's life reflected that care through his love, commitment, faith and loyalty to family, friends, and community, as it was these things that supported him in his most vulnerable time. Mike touched many lives throughout his life, both in his wellness and in his illness. To his last breath was love.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents Elsie and Stan Ball, grandparents William "Billy" and Lauretta Snodgrass Bye Ball, and Clifford and Grace Lee Kothman Stone; Aunts/Uncles Opal (Jack) Norton, Hilton (Betty) Kothman, Joy (Wells "Bud") Abbott, Donald (Jody) Kothman, and Jean (Jack) Daugherty.
Mike is survived by his sisters Kimberly Ball, and Karen (Allen) Summers; nieces/nephews Sierra DelaRiva (Tomas Quintana), Daniel DelaRiva (Crystal Salveson), Taj (Lizeth) Beaghler, Whitney (Fernado) Meza, Jasmine Beaghler (Vinand Prayag), Rainie Kennedy (Bruce Poncho), Equal Kennedy (Alondra Figueroa), Risa (Clay) Scott, Destin Kennedy, and David (Lenaya) Miliauskas; great-nieces/nephews Maryjane Marquez/Isaiah and Dorian Jackson, Savanah Miliauskas/Jayvyn Reyes, Christopher Wills/Lily/Liam DeLaRiva, Raymond/River/Blaze/Rowen Poncho, Emma/Ethan Beaghler, and Trey/Hayden/Soren Scott; Uncle, Robert "Bob" (Sharon) Kothman, and numerous beloved cousins, friends and clients.
Memorial Service: July 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 711 N Fowler St. Reception will follow.