Martin Augustus Ball Jr.

Martin Augustus Ball, 70, died at home on December 31, 2015. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 22 years, Laurie Guinn Ball. He is also survived by his sister, Carole (Claude) Embry; niece Celeste Sherrill; and great-nieces, Emily and Lillie.

His parents, Martin A. Ball Sr. and Mary Lillian Reed Ball preceded him in death.

Martin was born in Rome, GA on August 17, 1945 and spent happy childhood years riding his bike and playing unorganized baseball. In Chattanooga, TN he was in the first graduating class of Brainerd High School (1963) where he played football and boxed, and made lasting memories and lifelong friends. He graduated from UT Knoxville, then served in the US Army. Much of his career was in telecommunications with many years at Nortel, from which he retired as a Director of Sales in the Global Carrier Group. He enjoyed the extensive travel and embraced the opportunity to find who and what was interesting anywhere he went, especially when the work took him to New Orleans, New York, Hong Kong and Europe. He hiked in the Grand Tetons and on the Appalachian Trail, explored Yellowstone, skied in the Alps, swam in the ocean. There were wonderfully happy and usually loud times when he gathered with friends, often in the mountains and on the river. Home, though, was by far the most cherished place, with his wife, sometimes a martini, NewsHour, the Sunday NY Times, good food, sports on TV, books and memories all around. Fall was his favorite season, with wood fires and football, and wins by his UT Vols made it even better. “I love my life” he would say, with delight and gratitude.

Martin was interesting and genuinely interested in everyone. He made friends far and wide, from childhood and school, work, his neighborhood. His wife's friends and family quickly loved him. The children and grandchildren of friends joined the circle over the years. People were happy to just be around him or talk to him. Throughout his battle with aggressive prostate cancer and with kidney failure, he met the challenges with grace and humor, remarkable courage, and above all a deep gratitude for the wife he loved and the good full life he lived. Always, we will think of him and smile. Always, we will miss him.

Martin was a lifelong learner, with the exception of a few semesters in college. Auditing history classes at Belmont after he retired was a joy. In lieu of flowers, he would be pleased to have books added to the Nashville Public Library. Donations may be made at Friends of Nashville Library.org through the Memorial Book Program. Any act of kindness would be a fine memorial as well.

A Memorial service will be held at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, January 23, 2016 with visitation one hour prior at Brentwood Roesch-Patton Funeral Home with a reception follow.

Visit the online obituary: www.brentwood-roesch-pattonfuneralhome.com