Robert Franklin (“Frank”) Ball 86, went home to his Savior on Friday, January 18, 2019. Memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 300 W. Acheson, Denison, Texas on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.
Frank was born August 16, 1932 in Rose Hill, Virginia. He was a member of the United States Army from 1949 through 1952, serving during the Korean War.
In 1955, Frank became an Ironworker, a job that would take him across the country, finally landing him in Alaska where he spent many years working on the Alaska Pipeline. In 1976, Frank married Mary Thompson (Ball). Frank had many adventures while living in Alaska, most notably, the 7 years he and a partner spent building a 44-foot sailboat, and then another year sailing it from the coast of Alaska to Acapulco, Mexico.
In 1998, Frank returned to Texas to be near his children and grandchildren. Since his retirement from the Iron Workers in 2000, Frank spent his time volunteering for Meals on Wheels & Helping Hands, loving his children and grandchildren, and telling everyone he met about his love for Jesus.
Frank is survived by his wife, Mary Ball; his sisters Annie and Irene; his children, Pam, Debbie, Mike, Lee, and Jeff; Myra Lee West (mother of 4 of his children), nine grandchildren, and twenty great-grandchildren. Also many nieces & nephews who loved him dearly.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Dicie Caledonia Ball and his brother Rufus Ball, Jr.
Frank (“PawPaw”) will live on in the lives of not only his children and grandchildren, but also so many others who knew and loved him. He was a mountain of a man, but he was also one of the most gentle men you could ever know, who could always be seen wearing a pair of suspenders and a goofy grin. He never met a stranger.
He loved, and was loved, “a whole big bunch.”
A celebration of Frank's life will be held on Friday January 25th at 11:30 AM at Calvary Baptist Church, Denison Texas, Pastor Tim Franklin to officiate.
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