Roger Thomas Ball

Roger Thomas Ball, affectionately known to many as Moe, Deacon, Goober, and by other well-earned nicknames, passed away peacefully at his home in Waterville, Ohio, on December 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 79 years old.

Roger was born on February 14, 1946, to Frank and Pearl (Reed) Ball. He grew up in Toledo, Ohio, alongside his siblings, brother Frank Ball Jr. and sister Janet Watters. Roger attended Burroughs Elementary School, Libbey High School, and graduated from Bowsher High School in 1964.

On July 9, 1966, Roger married the love of his life and best friend, Mary Lou (Reifert) Ball, at Faith Lutheran Church. Together they built a life centered on family, curiosity, and service to others.

A lifelong learner, Roger pursued extensive education and training throughout his life. He studied Mechanical and Architectural Drafting at Stautzenberger Business College, completed the Carl T. Cotter School of Apprenticeship, attended Penta County Schools for Machine Shop training, and continued his education at the University of Toledo in Plastic Technologies. He also trained at the Toledo Fire Division Training Academy and earned Fire Service Instructor credentials through the State of Ohio Department of Education.

Roger dedicated much of his professional life to fire service and public safety. His career included service with the Northwood Volunteer Fire Department and the Toledo Fire Department, where he worked at several firehouses, served in the Training Bureau, supported the Firefighters Museum as "Fireman Freddie," supervised the TFD shop, and served as Vice President of Local 92. His excellence was recognized with numerous honors, including Fire Fighter of the Year (1972), the Bravo Award from Toledo Fire Fighters Local 92 (1976), a Certificate of Appreciation from the Toledo-Lucas County Safety Council (1976), and being widely known as the "Most Knowledgeable Fire Fighter."

Roger's expertise extended well beyond the firehouse. He trained fire brigades for major industrial and utility organizations, served as an adjunct instructor for the Ohio Fire Academy, trained FBI and Ohio State Highway Patrol SWAT teams in forcible entry techniques, and consulted for nuclear facilities on fire safety improvements. He also developed and presented fire service courses at the national, state, and local levels.

An entrepreneur at heart, Roger was involved in numerous ventures, including Ball Brother's Hardware, Gladiator Industries / Custom Applied Techniques, Gotta Eat Corporation ( Fire Fighter's Chili Spices, Kelsey's Kitchen), The Brick Kicker home inspections, real estate, Mom and Pop's kettle corn, The Videographer - wedding videography (which he proudly started with his sons to help fund their college education), and more. He lived in Northwood, Toledo, and Waterville, Ohio.

Above all, Roger was a devoted family man. He loved helping others, starting new projects, motorcycles, boats, cars, racing, camping, bike riding, walking his dogs, and creating intricate sculptures with nails-ranging from crucifixes to family pieces and furniture. He was endlessly curious, deeply creative, and famously talkative; Roger never met a stranger and truly loved connecting with people. On his birthday, he could always be found cooking his "simply marvelous" spaghetti and pizza dinner, promising it would make everyone "strong like bull." His humor, storytelling, limericks, generosity, and willingness to help-whether emotionally or with a project-left a lasting mark on everyone he met.

Roger is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Lou Ball; his children, Steven and Tina (Wismer) Ball, Jeffery Ball and Remy Darby, and Joshua Ball and Kristina Stuller (Karter and Kameron Chambers); his two grandchildren Madelyn and Jacob Ball; his brother Frank Ball Jr.; and his cherished dogs, Reggie and Oliver.

He was preceded in death by his father Frank Ball (1962), his mother Pearl (Reed) Ball (1993), and his sister Janet Watters (Ball) (2012).

Roger's family and friends are forever changed by knowing and loving him. His legacy of service, curiosity, creativity, and unwavering devotion to others will live on in the countless lives he touched.

Visitation will be held at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Thursday, January 8 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. The Funeral ceremony and Last Alarm Service will begin at 6:00 p.m. Interment will be private. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.