James Lewis Ball
Died: Thursday, March 13, 2014
James Lewis Ball of Des Peres died peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2014, surrounded by family and friends.
He was extremely smart and very humble – an incredible combination.He had an insatiable curiosity, always wanting to learn. Consequently, conversations were very interesting and people always walked away with a new fact in hand.
Born in Muncie, Ind., on Feb. 2, 1923, Mr. Ball was the son of Dr. Clay A. Ball, a respected physician, and Helen Mauck Ball, a math teacher. He was the third of four sons, learned to play the piano at the age of five and then learned to play the piccolo and flute shortly after, often performing at church and civic concerts.
As a teen, he built a kayak in his basement and floated the nearby White River, and also built a ham radio set. He was admitted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to pursue an engineering degree but at the age of 19 he joined the Army Air Corps. He graduated at the top of his class and was promoted to trainer pilot.
Following the war, Mr. Ball completed his degree and began his career as a mechanical and chemical engineer. He was involved in developing the parts for two new inventions in the 50s – the automobile cruise control and the refrigerator icemaker.
In 1954, he married the love of his life, Mildred Jean Crampton, and they raised three children, travelling to Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Lake Geneva, Wisc., and finally settling in St. Louis. Mr. Ball ended his career at McDonnell Douglas where he estimated costs for constructing defense jets for international proposals. In retirement, he pursed his passion for classical music, playing his flute, taking lessons and attending Webster University Music concerts.
He also continued to have a very active mind and mind-boggling memory, reading voraciously his Smithsonian magazine, National Geographic, and MIT Science and Technology magazine.
He will be dearly missed for his captivating conversation, clever wit, insightful observations and genteel, non-judgmental ways.
Mr. Ball was the lifelong husband of the late Mildred Jean Ball. He is survived by his three children: Teresa (Graydon) Gwin, Janet (John) Frain and John Ball; and his brother, Dr. Philip (Esther) Ball; and sister-in-law, Marian Ball. He was the grandfather of Aaron (Carol) Gwin, Kyle Gwin, Todd (Lydia) Gwin, Jessi (Andre) Jordan, Gabriel and Murphy Frain; and great-grandfather of Andrew, Conor, Tyler and Miles Gwin.
A service was held on March 19 at Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood. Memorials may be made to Webster University Music/Jazz Studies Department, 470 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, Mo. 63119. He and his wife were devoted fans of their concerts for many years.
Died: Thursday, March 13, 2014
James Lewis Ball of Des Peres died peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2014, surrounded by family and friends.
He was extremely smart and very humble – an incredible combination.He had an insatiable curiosity, always wanting to learn. Consequently, conversations were very interesting and people always walked away with a new fact in hand.
Born in Muncie, Ind., on Feb. 2, 1923, Mr. Ball was the son of Dr. Clay A. Ball, a respected physician, and Helen Mauck Ball, a math teacher. He was the third of four sons, learned to play the piano at the age of five and then learned to play the piccolo and flute shortly after, often performing at church and civic concerts.
As a teen, he built a kayak in his basement and floated the nearby White River, and also built a ham radio set. He was admitted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to pursue an engineering degree but at the age of 19 he joined the Army Air Corps. He graduated at the top of his class and was promoted to trainer pilot.
Following the war, Mr. Ball completed his degree and began his career as a mechanical and chemical engineer. He was involved in developing the parts for two new inventions in the 50s – the automobile cruise control and the refrigerator icemaker.
In 1954, he married the love of his life, Mildred Jean Crampton, and they raised three children, travelling to Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Lake Geneva, Wisc., and finally settling in St. Louis. Mr. Ball ended his career at McDonnell Douglas where he estimated costs for constructing defense jets for international proposals. In retirement, he pursed his passion for classical music, playing his flute, taking lessons and attending Webster University Music concerts.
He also continued to have a very active mind and mind-boggling memory, reading voraciously his Smithsonian magazine, National Geographic, and MIT Science and Technology magazine.
He will be dearly missed for his captivating conversation, clever wit, insightful observations and genteel, non-judgmental ways.
Mr. Ball was the lifelong husband of the late Mildred Jean Ball. He is survived by his three children: Teresa (Graydon) Gwin, Janet (John) Frain and John Ball; and his brother, Dr. Philip (Esther) Ball; and sister-in-law, Marian Ball. He was the grandfather of Aaron (Carol) Gwin, Kyle Gwin, Todd (Lydia) Gwin, Jessi (Andre) Jordan, Gabriel and Murphy Frain; and great-grandfather of Andrew, Conor, Tyler and Miles Gwin.
A service was held on March 19 at Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood. Memorials may be made to Webster University Music/Jazz Studies Department, 470 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, Mo. 63119. He and his wife were devoted fans of their concerts for many years.
James Lewis Ball
Died: Thursday, March 13, 2014
James Lewis Ball of Des Peres died peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2014, surrounded by family and friends.
He was extremely smart and very humble – an incredible combination.He had an insatiable curiosity, always wanting to learn. Consequently, conversations were very interesting and people always walked away with a new fact in hand.
Born in Muncie, Ind., on Feb. 2, 1923, Mr. Ball was the son of Dr. Clay A. Ball, a respected physician, and Helen Mauck Ball, a math teacher. He was the third of four sons, learned to play the piano at the age of five and then learned to play the piccolo and flute shortly after, often performing at church and civic concerts.
As a teen, he built a kayak in his basement and floated the nearby White River, and also built a ham radio set. He was admitted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to pursue an engineering degree but at the age of 19 he joined the Army Air Corps. He graduated at the top of his class and was promoted to trainer pilot.
Following the war, Mr. Ball completed his degree and began his career as a mechanical and chemical engineer. He was involved in developing the parts for two new inventions in the 50s – the automobile cruise control and the refrigerator icemaker.
In 1954, he married the love of his life, Mildred Jean Crampton, and they raised three children, travelling to Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Lake Geneva, Wisc., and finally settling in St. Louis. Mr. Ball ended his career at McDonnell Douglas where he estimated costs for constructing defense jets for international proposals. In retirement, he pursed his passion for classical music, playing his flute, taking lessons and attending Webster University Music concerts.
He also continued to have a very active mind and mind-boggling memory, reading voraciously his Smithsonian magazine, National Geographic, and MIT Science and Technology magazine.
He will be dearly missed for his captivating conversation, clever wit, insightful observations and genteel, non-judgmental ways.
Mr. Ball was the lifelong husband of the late Mildred Jean Ball. He is survived by his three children: Teresa (Graydon) Gwin, Janet (John) Frain and John Ball; and his brother, Dr. Philip (Esther) Ball; and sister-in-law, Marian Ball. He was the grandfather of Aaron (Carol) Gwin, Kyle Gwin, Todd (Lydia) Gwin, Jessi (Andre) Jordan, Gabriel and Murphy Frain; and great-grandfather of Andrew, Conor, Tyler and Miles Gwin.
A service was held on March 19 at Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood. Memorials may be made to Webster University Music/Jazz Studies Department, 470 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, Mo. 63119. He and his wife were devoted fans of their concerts for many years.
Died: Thursday, March 13, 2014
James Lewis Ball of Des Peres died peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2014, surrounded by family and friends.
He was extremely smart and very humble – an incredible combination.He had an insatiable curiosity, always wanting to learn. Consequently, conversations were very interesting and people always walked away with a new fact in hand.
Born in Muncie, Ind., on Feb. 2, 1923, Mr. Ball was the son of Dr. Clay A. Ball, a respected physician, and Helen Mauck Ball, a math teacher. He was the third of four sons, learned to play the piano at the age of five and then learned to play the piccolo and flute shortly after, often performing at church and civic concerts.
As a teen, he built a kayak in his basement and floated the nearby White River, and also built a ham radio set. He was admitted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to pursue an engineering degree but at the age of 19 he joined the Army Air Corps. He graduated at the top of his class and was promoted to trainer pilot.
Following the war, Mr. Ball completed his degree and began his career as a mechanical and chemical engineer. He was involved in developing the parts for two new inventions in the 50s – the automobile cruise control and the refrigerator icemaker.
In 1954, he married the love of his life, Mildred Jean Crampton, and they raised three children, travelling to Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Lake Geneva, Wisc., and finally settling in St. Louis. Mr. Ball ended his career at McDonnell Douglas where he estimated costs for constructing defense jets for international proposals. In retirement, he pursed his passion for classical music, playing his flute, taking lessons and attending Webster University Music concerts.
He also continued to have a very active mind and mind-boggling memory, reading voraciously his Smithsonian magazine, National Geographic, and MIT Science and Technology magazine.
He will be dearly missed for his captivating conversation, clever wit, insightful observations and genteel, non-judgmental ways.
Mr. Ball was the lifelong husband of the late Mildred Jean Ball. He is survived by his three children: Teresa (Graydon) Gwin, Janet (John) Frain and John Ball; and his brother, Dr. Philip (Esther) Ball; and sister-in-law, Marian Ball. He was the grandfather of Aaron (Carol) Gwin, Kyle Gwin, Todd (Lydia) Gwin, Jessi (Andre) Jordan, Gabriel and Murphy Frain; and great-grandfather of Andrew, Conor, Tyler and Miles Gwin.
A service was held on March 19 at Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood. Memorials may be made to Webster University Music/Jazz Studies Department, 470 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves, Mo. 63119. He and his wife were devoted fans of their concerts for many years.
Gravesite Details
2ND LT US ARMY AIR FORCES WORLD WAR II
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