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GREENSBORO — Ronald Vaden Ball, of 5623 Cardinal Way, Greensboro, N.C., died Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at Nushagak River Lodge near Dillingham, Alaska, while on a fishing trip with longtime friends. He was 68.
The celebration of life service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28, at St. Francis Episcopal Church on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro.
A native of Bluefield, West Virginia, he was born on August 9, 1939, the son of Warren and Aretta Ball. He was a graduate of Beaver High School, where he was an outstanding athlete, with varsity skills in football, basketball, and baseball. Ron supported his school and celebrated his 50th class anniversary last summer in style.
He was a 1961 graduate of Catawba College, in Salisbury, North Carolina, where he was recruited as quarterback. At Catawba, he played varsity football, basketball and baseball, and majored in business administration. He later earned a Master's degree from N.C. A&T State University.
Following graduation from Catawba, he joined Dan River Mills and served in the National Guard of Virginia. In 1963, he became president of Croft Business College in Greensboro and left there to teach and coach football at Northwest Guilford High School and later at Page High School. In 1977, he partnered with two good friends to start Learning Environments, Inc., a company specializing in providing furniture, equipment and athletic seating to school systems throughout North Carolina. He retired from the company in December 2007.
An avid sportsman and traveler, he loved fishing and was on one such trip to Alaska with longtime friends when he was stricken. The onetime high school and college athlete followed sports with almost as much passion as when he was playing, keeping track of local schools, the ACC, his alma mater Catawba College and the Carolina Panthers. He was a Panther fan, "rain or shine, win or lose."
He was the oldest member of his immediate family. He cultivated strong relationships with cousins, nieces, nephews, friends from high school, college, as well as the coaching and business worlds.
He will be remembered for his commitment to friends and family, his generosity, his "love ya" at the end of every conversation, and his sincere and heartfelt bear hugs. Ron lived through his positive mental attitude, treating everyone equally as he wanted to be treated.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 46 years, Darlene Landis Ball; daughter, Kristin Landis Ball; son, Ronald Vaden Ball, II and his wife, Melissa; and a number of beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday evening at Forbis and Dick Funeral Home on N. Elm Street, Greensboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catawba College, 2300 W. Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 in his name.
Online condolences may be made to www.forbisanddick.com
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Jim Flynt
July 1, 2008
Coach Ball did so much for Northwest HS when he was the football coach there and inspired so many players with the important qualities in life, both on and off the field. I just heard the news and am saddened at the loss of such a wonderful man. My deepest sympathy to you and all your loved ones.
Betty Lou Whisman Warren
July 1, 2008
Darlene and Family:
my deepest sympathy to you and to let you know that I thought he was such a fun person as I went to school with him all thru Wade and Beaver. He will be sadly missed by all his old friends and classmates
April Eason
June 28, 2008
Ron will deeply missed, he was a great person to work with and i will miss him alot.
Wm Guy Rich
June 28, 2008
God speed, Ron. (Guy & Frances)
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Max Elmore
June 28, 2008
I will always remember Ron as a great man. I have known him since we went to Wade Jr. High and then on to Beaver. He was a year ahead of me and set a great example for everyone.
Terry Crouse
June 27, 2008
Darlene and Family,
I am truly sorry for your loss. Ron was a great man and he always took the time to stop and speak to me through the years, no matter how busy he was. I will never forget all of the kind things he did for my mother and the joy he brought into her life. It was an honor to have known him.
William A. Atwell,Jr.
June 27, 2008
Ronnie was always upbeat and positive in every way. I'm sure the Lord has further plans for him now. Wish we had seen each other more often......
Cathryn Speckman
June 27, 2008
Darlene and Vaden,
I was both shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Ron. I was your neighbor on West Avondale when you lived on East Avondale and my son Paul and Vaden spent lots of time together growing up. Three years ago I moved to Myrtle Beach, SC and Paul lives in Los Angeles. Please accept our most sincere condolences for this unfortunate and sudden loss of a wonderful man. I never saw him without a big smile on his face. Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
Cathryn and Paul Speckman
donna isley staley
June 27, 2008
darlene and family,
please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Ron was always a part of my life growing up and my mom always thought so much of you both. his death is quite a shock for us all and we wish the very best for you in the days to come. may God look over you during this time.
Mike and Dee Reece
June 27, 2008
Dear Ball Family,
I played football under Coach Ball and loved the experience. We want you to know his time at Northwest High is very much remembered by those whose lives he touched. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeanne Ball-Simmons
June 27, 2008
Ronnie was a great inspiration to me. My father, Sandy Ball used to take us to Ronnie and Darlene's house on the lake for vacation when I was around 12 or 13 years of age and it was there that Ronnie taught me how to water ski. One afternoon, Darlene came home from work and told Ronnie she wanted to ski. She just had her hair done up (bouffant style) and off she went and to my surprise she went right off from the dock with 1 ski, went around the lake a couple of times, came back and landed back on the dock and that bouffant was still in tact. I told Ronnie, I wanted to learn to ski like that and he said, "I'll teach you, I'll teach you, just practice. Nevertheless I never learned quite as good as Darlene but Ronnie was the greatest teacher and him and Darlene made my vacations to the lake exciting and fun. We will miss you Ronnie. Tell Uncle Warren and Daddy, I love them and miss them.
Jo Milos
June 27, 2008
I was deeply saddened when I learned about Ron's passing Darlene. Ron was such a wonderful man - he always had a kind word, a great smile and big hug for me. He will be greatly missed!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bruce/Jackie Guard
June 27, 2008
Darlene, you may not remember us, but our husbands were at summer camp together. Also, you stayed with us one night during an ice storm on Tremont Drive. Our condolences.
Kit Rodenbough
June 27, 2008
Darlene, i am soooo sorry for this loss of your beloved husband. my thoughts are with you and family.
Joe Shoffner
June 27, 2008
We were saddened to hear of Ronald's passing. You are in our Thoughts and Prayers.
Becky and Joe Shoffner
Jeanne Ball-Simmons
June 27, 2008
Ronnie was a great inspiration to me. When I was about 12 or 13 years of age, my dad, Sandy Ball would take us to Ronnie and Darlene's lake house and it was there that Ronnie took me out and taught me how to water ski. One afternoon, Darlene came home from work and had just had her hair done up all nice (bufont style) and she said, "Ron I want to ski!" Ron got the boat and by my surprise, Darlene put her ski (just 1 ski) on and went right off from the dock, made a few rounds in the lake, came back, landed on the dock and that bufont hairdo was dry as a whistle. I told Ron, I want to learn to ski like that and he said, "I'll teach you, I'll teach you", all it takes is practice". Nevertheless, I didn't get as good as Darlene but I sure enjoyed learning from Ronnie. Ronnie and Darlene made my trips to the lake very memorable and Ron will be missed by all. Ronnie, tell Uncle Warren and Daddy hello for me!! We love you and we will miss you.
Ann Earnhardt
June 27, 2008
Darlene,
Chip and I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you, Kristen and Vaden.
From day one at Learning Environments Ron made me feel welcome. He always had a smile on his face. He had what my grandmother would have described as a beautiful soul, friendly, outgoing and willing to do anything to help out a friend.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Robert Rhoades
June 27, 2008
A wonderful friend, a wonderful and giving man who will be missed greatly. Deepest sympathy to family.
Judy Elkins
June 27, 2008
Ron was a wonderful man. God broke the mold when He made Ron. Always saying thank you for your help, the famous bear hug, and luv ya. I will like so many others remember him and carry him in my heart forever.
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