Roy Ball, Jr.

Roy Ball, Jr., 68, of Big Cabin, passed away Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006 at the VA Medical Center in Muskogee, OK. He was born on Feb. 14, 1938 in Stone, KY to Roy and Edna (Trout) Ball. His parents have preceded him in death. Roy was currently a member of the New Hope Christian Church in Miami, OK where he was also a minister. Roy's first ministry position was in North Carolina, where he ministered two churches at the same time. He held both of the positions at the same time he was a student at Johnson Bible College. He then moved on to Maryville, TN. He then moved to Poteau, OK, then to Forgan, OK then to Big Cabin, OK. He also ministered at the 1st Christian Church in Talala, OK. Roy was married to Mary Ann Barbarisi on May 14, 1965 in Portsmouth, VA. To this marriage he leaves one daughter-Carmela Elizabeth Pyle of OKC. To a previous marriage to Erma Dail English, two children were born; Debra Ann Thompson of Dallas and James Christopher Ball of Cincinnati, OH and one grandchild-Halley Ball. Also survived by one sister-Gloria Sue Lemieux of Forgan, OK. Also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as a host of loving family members and friends. Roy was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend and minister. Roy went into the service, serving in the U.S. Navy, when he was 17 years old, on Aug. 11, 1955. He was honorably discharged in 1962. He served on the USS English DD696 and the USS Serria AD18. He also worked on many ships and aircraft carriers. He also worked on the Naval Shipyard until 1967 and then headed off to Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN. Roy was diagnosed with cancer the first time in 1981 while preaching at the First Christian Church in Big Cabin. He then underwent open-heart surgery in 1991 and has battled off and on with cancer. Roy was a supply preacher all around Oklahoma and Kansas for 4 to 5 years. He was supply preaching at New Hope Christian Church and fell in love with the people there. He was excited when they asked him to be their permanent minister. He also worked for the Public Works Dept. in Forgan and Big Cabin. He was known to preach for the sum of toiletry items for deserving veterans at the VA Hospital in Muskogee. Roy took up woodcarving after he was diagnosed with cancer in 1981. He also tried his hand at wood burning and painting. He did a lot of work with Calvin Berry in Vinita. He won several ribbons for pieces he created and for several years, he created the trophies for the Calf Fry Festival. Memorial services will be held at 10 am Friday, Aug. 11, 2006 at the New Hope Christian Church in Miami, OK. With Pastors Joe Garman and Max Adams, Officiating. Roy had requested in lieu of flowers that donations to be made to the New Hope Christian Church in Miami of the Johnson Bible College. Arrangements are through Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita, OK.

Service Details

Friday, August 11th, 2006 10:00am, New Hope Christian Church