Harold Dean Ball

Harold Ball, 94, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Born in Stearns, Kentucky on July 30, 1931, to the late Claude Ball and Elsie (Lay) Gregory, Harold “Dean” was a quiet, curious and responsible lad surrounded by generations of extended family that loved and nurtured him. His entry into adulthood found him proud to serve in “the greatest navy of the greatest country in the history of the world” from 1948-1952.

Relocating to Columbus, Ohio following his service, Harold met and married the love of his life, Adena Chase. He began an apprenticeship as a tool and die maker at General Motors where he graduated to Production Supervisor, working in that capacity for 36 years. Finding a second wind in retirement, Harold elected to put in enough time at Columbia Gas of Ohio and the Wilson Road Golf Course to earn additional pensions. Whether this man of faith was in the midst of an animated square dance, serenading all within earshot by crooning a favorite tune, cheering on UK basketball & OSU football teams, giving Veteran’s Day talks to middle schoolers or secluded in his “man cave” whipping out a new poem, no one enjoyed hardy laughter or innocent hijinks more than Harold. Affectionately respected by all who met him (in later years, he hardly met a stranger), Harold loved his family, friends and everyone’s pets – and they knew it. Despite losing Adena after 70 years together in 2023, this wordsmith published 20 years of heartfelt scripting in his autobiographical novel, Cry of the Sparrows.

His life remains a blessing, particularly to his daughter Susan Ball; son David (Jean) Ball; grandsons Scott Ball and Brian (Tricia Sutton) Ball; sister Joyce Peters; brother William Ball; and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends from 4:00 – 7:00pm on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Riverside Global Methodist Church, 2701 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221 with internment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kobacker House, 800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, OH 43214 or to K9's for Warriors, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081.