Robert J. Ball

Robert J. "Bob" Ball of Adkins was born on June 10, 1927, in Kingsville, to Robert "Jesse" and Clare Von Ball, who have both preceded him in death. He received the Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America and volunteered many years with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations. He was educated in Houston, Texas, graduating from John H. Reagan High School in 1945. He served 17 months in the US Navy including 7 months on the USS Rutland, being honorably discharged as Seaman First Class in Nov 1946 after World War II. He attended one year at San Antonio College, where he met his future wife, Gilda Wayne Pape, whom he affectionately called "Babe" and married on September 3, 1948. After he married Gilda Wayne, he began a deeper focus on his heavenly mission, studied God's Word and was baptized at Beacon Hill Church of Christ. He continued his education at Texas A&M University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1953, majoring in Animal Science. He also attended Trinity University and received a Master of Science degree in 1964, majoring in Biology. He retired from civil service at Brooks AFB in 1987 after years as a microbiologist. He was a member and teacher at Grove Avenue Church of Christ and in later years served as Deacon/Treasurer, then Elder at Houston Terrace Church of Christ, and as Elder at Southeast Church of Christ. "Papa," as he was called by his grandchildren, was a great encourager and we could always depend on him to come to our aid, whether financial or other, even if it meant he went without. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years and his daughter, Laurie Beth Ball. He is survived by his children, David and Deena Lynn Pattillo of Missouri City (Houston), Russell Scott and Sandra Ball of Converse (San Antonio), and David Earl and Lynn Ball of Meadows Place (Houston), and his sister, Dorothy Holder of Corpus Christi. "Papa" is also survived by his five loving grandchildren, Paul Pattillo, Krislyn Pattillo, Mark Pattillo, Jennifer Ball and Jonathan Ball, and numerous other relatives and friends. Robert went to sleep in the Lord's arms on March 9, 2011, in San Antonio. He will be greatly missed and cherished but we know he is in his heavenly home. Family's Favorite Scripture Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…." "Papa's" Favorite Song He loved The New Song, by C. C. Stafford, and is remembered for requesting it at New Year's Parties at his home right before midnight – when our voices were already worn out from singing – but we happily sang it anyway: It thrills my soul to hear the songs of praise we mortals sing below, and though it takes the parting of the ways, yet I must outward go; I hope to hear through-out unnumbered days, the song earth cannot know, they sing in heaven a new song, of Moses and the Lamb The greatest joy that I have ever known is praising Him in song; I know someday when I have older grown, my voice will not be strong; but if good seed for Jesus I have sown, with angels I'll belong, they sing in heaven a new song, of Moses and the Lamb The sweetest song that earth can ever boast was sung when Christ was born; yet he who walked the Galilean coast sometimes was sad forlorn; He left the earth to send the Holy Ghost to guide us till that morn, they sing in heaven a new song, of Moses and the Lamb