Frank Vern Ball, Sr.
July 24, 1923 - Aug. 17, 2016

Frank Ball of Jefferson passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at age 93. Frank was born in Spokane, Washington to Leo and Rena (LeMar) Ball. After his father drowned crossing a river with a team of horses, Frank and his older sister, Virginia, spent their younger years on their maternal grandparents' homestead near Orient, Washington by the Canadian border. Frank attended schools in Orient and Kettle Falls and later Seattle.

Frank liked adventure more than schooling, so at age 16 he left home in 1940 for the CCC's. He joined the Navy before he was 18 and spent five and a half years in the Pacific theatre. During his naval career, he piloted landing craft that put Marines on shore. He once spent three months with the Marines on an island, manning the boat until his ship returned for him. He also trained to be a hard hat diver. In his later years he talked fondly of his escapades in the Navy. In Oct. 2014 he and son, Frank Jr., were part of an Honor Flight to Washington D.C.; an experience that was a true highlight for him.

Back in Spokane, Frank met and married Alice McDonald on Sept. 18, 1948. They would have two children, Frank Jr. and Alice Vernette. Over their 61 years together they would live up and down the west coast from Riverside, California to Stanwood, Washington with stops in Oregon at Chiloquin and Mt. Angel. Alice would continue her career in nursing while Frank attended San Bernardino College, earning a license in electronics from which he would launch his own small businesses in TV repair and radio.

In Stanwood, Frank built a dome home and they became involved in the local grange. They attended state grange conventions until Alice became ill. After moving to Jefferson to be near family and continue caring for Alice, Frank again joined the Morningside Grange eventually holding the office of Master.

Frank enjoyed archery, woodworking, reading non-fiction books on many topics, playing pinochle and talking politics with his Jefferson coffee group. Even in his 90's, Frank played pinochle in Jefferson and at Albany's Senior Center.

He is preceded in death by his wife, sister and daughter Alice. He is survived by his son Frank and wife Patti; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

At his request there will be no service, but since Frank loved Siamese cats and Boxer dogs, contributions can be made in his name to Safe Haven Humane Society.
A private family internment will be held for both Frank and Alice on Sept. 18 in Salem. As a WWII veteran, some of Frank's ashes will be buried at sea, carried on a Navy ship from Bremerton, Washington where Frank initially entered the Navy.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. (aasum-dufour.com).