James Otto Ball, 83, of Lubbock went home to be with the Lord on July 20, 2019 after a heroic 2-year battle with cancer. He was born December 27, 1935 in Hart Camp, TX. He graduated from Spade High School and farmed in the community for several years. James later traveled the world working for Brown & Root as an assistant superintendent on a pipeline barge, but always tried to keep his family close to where he worked. He returned to the Lubbock area where he retired from the US Postal Service as a rural mail carrier after 25 years of service. After retirement James became involved in the Lubbock County Elections. He enjoyed volunteering for Meals on Wheels and was a member of LakeRidge United Methodist Church and Bible Study Sunday School Class.James became a Master Mason in 1961. He later received his 32° and his 50-year service pin in 2012 for service rendered in the Littlefield Lodge #1161.James loved to fly and was an instructor pilot in Ada, OK. Always an avid golfer, James recorded four holes-in-one, including two on the same day. James and his wife Sue were members of the Roaring Springs Ranch Club and enjoyed spending time RVing there with friends.James loved his family with a passion and while they grieve, they take comfort knowing that he was welcomed into the arms of Jesus hearing the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”James is survived by his wife, Sue of 43 years; sons, Scott Ball (Pam) of Amarillo, Kent Ball (Tonie) of Stratford, Steve Coley (Julie) of Irving, and daughter Michelle Sturgess (Tim) of Terre Haute, IN. He also leaves behind siblings Carolyn Borden (Bill), June Atterbury, Bill Coley (Kathy) and sisters-in-law Pat Coley and Ellen Atterbury. He was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, other family members and wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his father Louis Ball; mothers, Eileen Ball and Nobia Lee Thompson; brother, Harold Coley; and brothers-in-law Richard, Lewis B. and Joe Bob Atterbury; and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Bracey, Charlene Riddle and Ruth Atterbury.Many thanks to Hospice of the South Plains, especially Clint Connor, and Caring Hearts Home Care.A time of fellowship and remembrance is scheduled 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life of 83 years at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2019, with Masonic graveside services at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at 1:00 pm in the Wesley Chapel at LakeRidge United Methodist Church.
