Earl J. Ball

Mr. Earl J. Ball, 89, of Dalton, died at Brighton Gardens in Denver, Color., following complications due to pneumonia.He was one of three children, born on Sept. 25, 1919, in Grafton, W.Va., to the late Ozia Vernon and Nellie Ann (DeMoss) Ball. He received his undergraduate degree in science education from Fairmont State University and went on to receive his master's degree in chemistry from West Virginia University. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. During the war he was a Lieutenant JG stationed aboard the U.S. Formoe D.E. 509 in the South Pacific. Following the war, he met his wife, Elizabeth Anne (Grace) Ball, and they were married in San Diego, Calif., on May 11, 1946.Mr. Ball was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elizabeth, and brothers, Vernon Edward Ball and Charles Herbert Ball. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bryan C. and Diane Ball of Brookfield, Conn.; daughters and sons-in-law, Marcy and Ted Hannon, of Denver, Colo.; Kitty and Paul Weiland of Columbia, S.C.; grandchildren, Stephanie Mitchell of El Paso, Texas, Kevin Ball of Plano, Texas, Patrick Schwing, of Tampa, Fla., Anna Grace Weiland and Matthew Weiland both of Columbia, S.C.; great-grandchildren, Kayton Mitchell, Khloe Mitchell, Jocelyn Mitchell and Mya Mitchell all of El Paso; sisters-in-law, DorisAnn Ball of Greensburg, Pa., Maria Grace of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and nieces and nephews.During his early career, Mr. Ball worked as a chemist for DuPont Chemicals in Sylacauga, Ala., and as a research chemist for Merck and Co. in Rahway, N.J. He then served as director of chemical purchasing for Hoechst – Celanese Chemicals in New York, N.Y., and Charlotte, N.C. In 1966, Mr. Ball moved with his family to Dalton where he served as president and general manager for Lyndal Chemicals (formerly Chemical Processing of Georgia) for 26 years. He enjoyed devoting his time and energy to many community activities. He was an active member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, and served as the United Way Chairman. He also enjoyed serving on the boards of the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, Head Start Association of Dalton, Whitfield County Connections/Children and Families First, the Whitfield County Merit Board, and the Northwest Georgia Marriage Initiative. During his retirement he enjoyed consulting with new start-up businesses through Dalton Whitfield SCORE.During the 1992 presidential campaign, Mr. Ball had the opportunity to serve as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Throughout his life, music played an important part, and he played both the violin and the trumpet and served as the choir director at St. Joseph's Catholic Church for many years.He will be remembered by family and friends as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and as an individual committed to serving his community.The family will receive guests on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Love Funeral Home. Services will be at Love Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m., Saturday. The family requests that all donations be sent to the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, P.O. Box 554, Dalton, GA 30722-0554, or Head Start of Dalton, GA 803 E. Morris St., Dalton, GA 30721, or Northwest Georgia Marriage Initiatives, P.O. Box 2507, Dalton, GA 30722-2507.Words of Comfort mat be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.www.legacy.com