Former Moran resident David Lee Ball passed away Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, at his home in El Dorado, surrounded by his family following a lengthy illness. He was 87.
David was born Oct. 24, 1929, in Iola, the son of Clint and Romolia Modesta (Arbuckle) Ball. He grew up in Iola and attended Iola schools and Iola Junior College.
David worked in construction before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1950. He was honorably discharged in 1954. He worked 12 years for Boeing Airplane Co. while also serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He returned to active duty in 1966 and retired from the Navy in 1982. He was a member of the SEABEES throughout his military career, serving in both Korea and Vietnam conflicts. His service included Korea, Aleutian Islands, Philippine Islands, Vietnam, Okinawa, Spain, Bermuda and Puerto Rico. After retiring, he moved to rural Moran and was employed with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center as a Substance Abuse Counselor for eight years.
David married Shirley Mae Yocum of Moran n 1957 in Wichita. David is preceded in death by a sister, Reta Langeneckert, half-sister Ileen Collins, and two half-brothers, Ivan and Merle Ball.
David is survived by wife Shirley Ball, El Dorado; son Steve Ball, Temecula, Calif.; daughter LeAna L. Ball Mitchell, El Dorado; five grandchildren, Erica Vega, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Michelle Sotelo, Wildomar, Calif., and Jeremy Mitchell, Tiffany Mitchell and Jackson Mitchell, all of El Dorado; and nine great-grandchildren.
David was a member of the American Legion, the Fleet Reserve Association, Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola, with visitation prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Moran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kansas Veterans’ Home, 1220 WWII Memorial Drive, Winfield, KS 67156-1220.
David Ball
