Earl Thomas Ball
January 5, 1936 – November 19, 2022
Earl T. Ball, 86, passed away to his eternal resting place November 19, 2022 at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham. He was born in Stanley, ND in a tar paper shack on January 5, 1936 to George and Esther Ball. He said he was born on the coldest day on record in North Dakota, 62 degrees below zero. He was the youngest of four children. Preceded in death by his parents; George and Esther Ball; his brothers, Robert and Donald Ball; his sister Beverly Rugland; brother-in-law Gordon Rugland and sister-in-law Gemma Ball.
He attended Clearwater one room country schoolhouse through eighth grade, then he attended Stanley High School.
He joined the U.S. Army at age 17 and was sent to electronics school in Georgia. He served in Korea working as a radio repairman. He also served in the U.S. Air Force. After he received an honorable discharge from the service, he went to work for the Martin Company out of Orlando, FL, for whom he installed missile sites. He later worked for the Boeing Company in Seattle, in the nuclear physics group.
After Boeing, he transitioned to the private sector owning eight laundromats and dry cleaners. During his time in Seattle, he bought a plane and enjoyed flying.
In Seattle, he met his wife Beatrice Mae Mohr and they were married June 10, 1972. They had one daughter Lisa Ann Ball.
In 1987 they bought an RV park overlooking Birch Bay. They have owned and operated Ball Bay View RV Park for over 35 years. They became active in the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, where he served as president for many years.
After their daughter graduated from Blaine High School, they went south for the winter months becoming “snowbirds” at Leisure World in Mesa, AZ. While in Arizona he enjoyed attending jam sessions. He also enjoyed traveling; together they visited over 36 countries.
Earl was a very hard working and honest man. If someone was in need, he would be right there to help. He was also a caring husband and loving father.
Earl is survived by his wife Beatrice; daughters Gretchen Ball and Lisa Ann Bailey; son-in-law James B. Bailey; granddaughter I’Lee Bailey; and grandson Ty Bailey. He is missed by family and friends.
You may share your memories at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
