Donald Arthur Ball LTC at the age of 89, passed away on June 23, 2023.
Donald was born May 5, 1934, to Herbert and Glenna Ball in Elmhurst, Illinois.
After graduating from Roxana high school in 1952, he joined the ROTC PROGRAM at the University of Illinois. Donald later received a Master of Science in Engineering. He then decided to serve his country in the United States Army and went on to become a pilot. His military assignments included service in Korea and Vietnam. During his career he received multiple medals acknowledging his exceptional service and performance.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy (nee LaMantia) Ball and a sister Beverly Hamilton (Charles Hamilton). He enjoyed being a Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, brother, Uncle and friend to many. During his lifetime he enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing.
Donald lived life to the fullest to the very end!
MEMORIES FROM DON'S CLOSE FRIEND, GARY MCBRIDE:
REMEMBERING A FRIEND
Webster says a friend is "a person you know well and like a lot". Don Ball was my friend.
I met Don some 49 years ago as we were in the Vet's office with our Brittany's. We complimented each other on our furry friends. We struck up a conversation about hunting and one thing led to another and before you knew it, we were fishing and hunting on a regular basis.
Over near a half century we took hundreds of trips afield. Don was a very skilled marksman. Whether it was bench rest or bird hunting he was an excellent shot. I remember joining Don as a member of a team that competed in skeet contests. We won our league several times due in most part to Don's perfect scores that carried us.
We fished and hunted in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Dakota and Texas to mention a few. During these trips we had many, many hours of conversations. As you might guess they ranged from politics, to family, our histories and to planning our next trip.
Don was a decorated helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war, but I couldn't get him to talk very much about it which is not uncommon with many who served. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois, a school dear to my heart.
I think it important to point out that Don wasn't perfect. An example of that was the many times he would run out of gas in his vehicle during our trips. Not once, not twice but many times. You would have thought that I would remind him of his habit of cutting it too close as I did, but he would say it was Ok, that he could make it to the next station, which he wouldn't.
Over the years there were many social gatherings we shared: Dances at the Creve Coeur Country Club, eating out, gatherings at one another's homes, many, many Ram's tailgates, countless trips to lakes and cruises to mention a few. My point is, Don was not only an outdoorsman, but he also had many friends that he traveled and socialized with.
I don't ever recall Don being angry or complaining much. He was pretty laid back and rolled with the punches. I know he had no fear. I won't bore you with the many examples of that, but I have more than I want to remember.
Don was very competitive. It was always a contest to see who could out do the other. I recall times he and I would play ping pong and in the dead of winter we would come out of my basement soaking wet from our many games. In the end I came out on top 279 to 278 in games won. Ha, Ha!
From loading ammo to cleaning fish and birds Don was always enjoying himself and helping you to enjoy yourself. Did I mention that Don liked to eat? Boy did he liked his rare prime rib.
I believe Don tried to live each day to its fullest. Whether it was golf, tennis, fishing, hunting or shooting he was enjoying life.
I'll miss my good friend, as many who read this will. To say "rest in peace" would be wasted on Don because he's planning his next adventure.
Leave room in some of your days for me, my good friend because I like you a lot.
Keep your rod tip high, lead the bird, and follow through.
Gary McBride
Donald was born May 5, 1934, to Herbert and Glenna Ball in Elmhurst, Illinois.
After graduating from Roxana high school in 1952, he joined the ROTC PROGRAM at the University of Illinois. Donald later received a Master of Science in Engineering. He then decided to serve his country in the United States Army and went on to become a pilot. His military assignments included service in Korea and Vietnam. During his career he received multiple medals acknowledging his exceptional service and performance.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy (nee LaMantia) Ball and a sister Beverly Hamilton (Charles Hamilton). He enjoyed being a Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, brother, Uncle and friend to many. During his lifetime he enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing.
Donald lived life to the fullest to the very end!
MEMORIES FROM DON'S CLOSE FRIEND, GARY MCBRIDE:
REMEMBERING A FRIEND
Webster says a friend is "a person you know well and like a lot". Don Ball was my friend.
I met Don some 49 years ago as we were in the Vet's office with our Brittany's. We complimented each other on our furry friends. We struck up a conversation about hunting and one thing led to another and before you knew it, we were fishing and hunting on a regular basis.
Over near a half century we took hundreds of trips afield. Don was a very skilled marksman. Whether it was bench rest or bird hunting he was an excellent shot. I remember joining Don as a member of a team that competed in skeet contests. We won our league several times due in most part to Don's perfect scores that carried us.
We fished and hunted in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Dakota and Texas to mention a few. During these trips we had many, many hours of conversations. As you might guess they ranged from politics, to family, our histories and to planning our next trip.
Don was a decorated helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war, but I couldn't get him to talk very much about it which is not uncommon with many who served. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois, a school dear to my heart.
I think it important to point out that Don wasn't perfect. An example of that was the many times he would run out of gas in his vehicle during our trips. Not once, not twice but many times. You would have thought that I would remind him of his habit of cutting it too close as I did, but he would say it was Ok, that he could make it to the next station, which he wouldn't.
Over the years there were many social gatherings we shared: Dances at the Creve Coeur Country Club, eating out, gatherings at one another's homes, many, many Ram's tailgates, countless trips to lakes and cruises to mention a few. My point is, Don was not only an outdoorsman, but he also had many friends that he traveled and socialized with.
I don't ever recall Don being angry or complaining much. He was pretty laid back and rolled with the punches. I know he had no fear. I won't bore you with the many examples of that, but I have more than I want to remember.
Don was very competitive. It was always a contest to see who could out do the other. I recall times he and I would play ping pong and in the dead of winter we would come out of my basement soaking wet from our many games. In the end I came out on top 279 to 278 in games won. Ha, Ha!
From loading ammo to cleaning fish and birds Don was always enjoying himself and helping you to enjoy yourself. Did I mention that Don liked to eat? Boy did he liked his rare prime rib.
I believe Don tried to live each day to its fullest. Whether it was golf, tennis, fishing, hunting or shooting he was enjoying life.
I'll miss my good friend, as many who read this will. To say "rest in peace" would be wasted on Don because he's planning his next adventure.
Leave room in some of your days for me, my good friend because I like you a lot.
Keep your rod tip high, lead the bird, and follow through.
Gary McBride
Donald Arthur Ball LTC at the age of 89, passed away on June 23, 2023.
Donald was born May 5, 1934, to Herbert and Glenna Ball in Elmhurst, Illinois.
After graduating from Roxana high school in 1952, he joined the ROTC PROGRAM at the University of Illinois. Donald later received a Master of Science in Engineering. He then decided to serve his country in the United States Army and went on to become a pilot. His military assignments included service in Korea and Vietnam. During his career he received multiple medals acknowledging his exceptional service and performance.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy (nee LaMantia) Ball and a sister Beverly Hamilton (Charles Hamilton). He enjoyed being a Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, brother, Uncle and friend to many. During his lifetime he enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing.
Donald lived life to the fullest to the very end!
MEMORIES FROM DON'S CLOSE FRIEND, GARY MCBRIDE:
REMEMBERING A FRIEND
Webster says a friend is "a person you know well and like a lot". Don Ball was my friend.
I met Don some 49 years ago as we were in the Vet's office with our Brittany's. We complimented each other on our furry friends. We struck up a conversation about hunting and one thing led to another and before you knew it, we were fishing and hunting on a regular basis.
Over near a half century we took hundreds of trips afield. Don was a very skilled marksman. Whether it was bench rest or bird hunting he was an excellent shot. I remember joining Don as a member of a team that competed in skeet contests. We won our league several times due in most part to Don's perfect scores that carried us.
We fished and hunted in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Dakota and Texas to mention a few. During these trips we had many, many hours of conversations. As you might guess they ranged from politics, to family, our histories and to planning our next trip.
Don was a decorated helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war, but I couldn't get him to talk very much about it which is not uncommon with many who served. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois, a school dear to my heart.
I think it important to point out that Don wasn't perfect. An example of that was the many times he would run out of gas in his vehicle during our trips. Not once, not twice but many times. You would have thought that I would remind him of his habit of cutting it too close as I did, but he would say it was Ok, that he could make it to the next station, which he wouldn't.
Over the years there were many social gatherings we shared: Dances at the Creve Coeur Country Club, eating out, gatherings at one another's homes, many, many Ram's tailgates, countless trips to lakes and cruises to mention a few. My point is, Don was not only an outdoorsman, but he also had many friends that he traveled and socialized with.
I don't ever recall Don being angry or complaining much. He was pretty laid back and rolled with the punches. I know he had no fear. I won't bore you with the many examples of that, but I have more than I want to remember.
Don was very competitive. It was always a contest to see who could out do the other. I recall times he and I would play ping pong and in the dead of winter we would come out of my basement soaking wet from our many games. In the end I came out on top 279 to 278 in games won. Ha, Ha!
From loading ammo to cleaning fish and birds Don was always enjoying himself and helping you to enjoy yourself. Did I mention that Don liked to eat? Boy did he liked his rare prime rib.
I believe Don tried to live each day to its fullest. Whether it was golf, tennis, fishing, hunting or shooting he was enjoying life.
I'll miss my good friend, as many who read this will. To say "rest in peace" would be wasted on Don because he's planning his next adventure.
Leave room in some of your days for me, my good friend because I like you a lot.
Keep your rod tip high, lead the bird, and follow through.
Gary McBride
Donald was born May 5, 1934, to Herbert and Glenna Ball in Elmhurst, Illinois.
After graduating from Roxana high school in 1952, he joined the ROTC PROGRAM at the University of Illinois. Donald later received a Master of Science in Engineering. He then decided to serve his country in the United States Army and went on to become a pilot. His military assignments included service in Korea and Vietnam. During his career he received multiple medals acknowledging his exceptional service and performance.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy (nee LaMantia) Ball and a sister Beverly Hamilton (Charles Hamilton). He enjoyed being a Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, brother, Uncle and friend to many. During his lifetime he enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing.
Donald lived life to the fullest to the very end!
MEMORIES FROM DON'S CLOSE FRIEND, GARY MCBRIDE:
REMEMBERING A FRIEND
Webster says a friend is "a person you know well and like a lot". Don Ball was my friend.
I met Don some 49 years ago as we were in the Vet's office with our Brittany's. We complimented each other on our furry friends. We struck up a conversation about hunting and one thing led to another and before you knew it, we were fishing and hunting on a regular basis.
Over near a half century we took hundreds of trips afield. Don was a very skilled marksman. Whether it was bench rest or bird hunting he was an excellent shot. I remember joining Don as a member of a team that competed in skeet contests. We won our league several times due in most part to Don's perfect scores that carried us.
We fished and hunted in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Dakota and Texas to mention a few. During these trips we had many, many hours of conversations. As you might guess they ranged from politics, to family, our histories and to planning our next trip.
Don was a decorated helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war, but I couldn't get him to talk very much about it which is not uncommon with many who served. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois, a school dear to my heart.
I think it important to point out that Don wasn't perfect. An example of that was the many times he would run out of gas in his vehicle during our trips. Not once, not twice but many times. You would have thought that I would remind him of his habit of cutting it too close as I did, but he would say it was Ok, that he could make it to the next station, which he wouldn't.
Over the years there were many social gatherings we shared: Dances at the Creve Coeur Country Club, eating out, gatherings at one another's homes, many, many Ram's tailgates, countless trips to lakes and cruises to mention a few. My point is, Don was not only an outdoorsman, but he also had many friends that he traveled and socialized with.
I don't ever recall Don being angry or complaining much. He was pretty laid back and rolled with the punches. I know he had no fear. I won't bore you with the many examples of that, but I have more than I want to remember.
Don was very competitive. It was always a contest to see who could out do the other. I recall times he and I would play ping pong and in the dead of winter we would come out of my basement soaking wet from our many games. In the end I came out on top 279 to 278 in games won. Ha, Ha!
From loading ammo to cleaning fish and birds Don was always enjoying himself and helping you to enjoy yourself. Did I mention that Don liked to eat? Boy did he liked his rare prime rib.
I believe Don tried to live each day to its fullest. Whether it was golf, tennis, fishing, hunting or shooting he was enjoying life.
I'll miss my good friend, as many who read this will. To say "rest in peace" would be wasted on Don because he's planning his next adventure.
Leave room in some of your days for me, my good friend because I like you a lot.
Keep your rod tip high, lead the bird, and follow through.
Gary McBride
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