Charles Ball

Charles Anthony Ball passed away at age 78 on March 29, 2011, at Boswell Hospital in Sun City, AZ. Charlie was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies, on November 13, 1932. He attended schools in Montego Bay until moving to Brooklyn, NY in 1947 where he graduated from high school in 1949. As an adult, Charlie experienced a variety of work experiences and among them he was: a radio mechanic in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War, a marine machinist for the U.S. Navy where he worked on aircraft carriers, a diesel mechanic when he volunteered with the Peace Corps in West Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and as a recruiter to encourage college students in PA and D.C. to volunteer with the Peace Corps. Charlie graduated from Metro State University in Minneapolis with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and worked for 29 years for the State of Minnesota as an Information Specialist until his retirement in 2004. Charlie was well known in the MN soccer community where he coached, officiated and played the game. He served on the board of the MN Recreational Soccer League, and coached the International Men’s Soccer Team for more than 25 years. Charlie was joined in marriage to the former Joan Harstad on June 25, 1976, at King of Grace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, MN and four years later his daughter and his pride and joy, Angela, was born. They lived in St. Louis Park and Plymouth, MN prior to Charlie and Joan moving to Sun City Grand in Surprise, AZ and Angela to San Luis Obispo, CA in 2005. His parents, Orville and Muriel Ball of Los Angeles, CA, preceded Charlie in death. He is survived by his wife and daughter; two sisters, Grace (Gene) Strauther and Maree (James) Fleming of Surprise, AZ; and one brother, David (Pat) Ball of Goodyear, AZ. Charlie is also survived by eight nieces and nephews: Craig (Kellie) Atkinson and sons, Zane and Jalen; Karen Atkinson and son, Ryan; David (Robyn) Ball and sons, Michael and Daniel; Chris Ball and daughter, Morgan; Monique (Ronnie) Moss and son, Marcus; Tina Fleming and daughter, Shelby; Linda Fleming and son, Kingston; and Eric Fleming. Charlie was also loved by his wife’s family: Craig (Heidi) Harstad and sons, Paal and Tom; Gail Schuster and daughter, Kari, and sons Erik (Lisa) Andrew, and Matthew; Ralph (Beth) Harstad and daughters, Kristen and Ellen, and sons, John and Mark; Ann Hengel and sons, Mark and David; Mark Harstad; Judy (Blaine) Field, sons, Nathan and Michael and daughter, Karen; and Carol (Barry) Pogatchnik and son, Brian, and daughter, Laura. Charlie’s laughter, stories and loving heart will be missed by many relatives, neighbors and friends. Memorial services are being held at Word of Life Lutheran Church, 17525 W. Bell Road, Surprise, AZ on Saturday, April 2, 1:30 p.m. and at King of Grace Lutheran Church, 6000 Duluth St., Golden Valley, MN on Sunday, April 10, 2:00 p.m. with receptions to follow. Memorials preferred to American Heart Association www.americanheart.org or Courage Center (3915 Golden Valley Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55422) www.couragecenter.org or donor’s choice.