John Farrell “Jack” Ball, Jr.

JOHN FARRELL “JACK” BALL, JR.

John Farrell “Jack” Ball, Jr., 85, passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital on August 24, 2019 in the comfort of his daughter.

Jack was born on August 7, 1934, to John and Joyce Ball.  He graduated from Duluth East High School and UMD.  After graduating from UMD, he served in the U.S. Army for two years.

Jack was an independent insurance agent and principal of Prindle-Jones Company for more than thirty years. He worked tirelessly on behalf of his clients, many of whom became friends. He served in leadership positions in the insurance industry, including President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Minnesota.

Jack and his wife, Jeanne, raised their three children in his childhood home on Kent Road. He later moved to Island Lake, surrounded by woods and water, mastering vegetable and flower gardening, a passion he shared with others.

Jack enjoyed the lake, the cabin, the woods, the North Shore, his place in Sarasota, the stands of a hockey arena, the sidelines of a high school soccer field, and any place where he would be in the company of good friends and family.

Jack was a loyal friend, faithful member of his church, dedicated to his community and a quiet comforter of the sick and those in need. He was active in his church and community, serving on many boards and volunteering his time and energy to several organizations, including the Jaycees, Duluth Planning Commission, UMD Bulldog Club, Skyline Rotary, Holy Rosary Board of Trustees, Duluth Cathedral Board of Trustees, and the Benedictine Health Center and Foundation.

Jack was a caring and loving father and grandfather, helping to raise his grandchildren after their parents passed away. His legacy will be the important role he played in the lives of his grandchildren. He will best be remembered for being a kind, supportive and amazing father and grandfather who was very present in the lives of his children and grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jeanne; his sister, Barbara Schey; his son, Farrell Ball; and his daughter, Suzanne (Ball) Olsen.

Left to cherish Jack’s life are his daughter, Stephanie, and his grandchildren and sources of greatest joy, Brittany, Morgan and David, as well as the Hollidays and Reicherts who made him a part of their families.

Jack and his family are grateful for the compassionate care provided by the St. Luke’s Hospital doctors, nurses, and therapists after he sustained a spinal cord injury.

In lieu of flowers, Jack’s family encourages a memorial to an organization of your choice.  Suggested memorials are St. Joseph’s-Gnesen Catholic Church, 6110 Church Road, Duluth, Minnesota 55803; Benedictine Living Community of Duluth Foundation, 935 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, Minnesota, 55811; Essentia Health Foundation Cancer Compassionate Care Fund, 400 East Third Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55805;, and Marshall School, 1215 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, Minnesota 55811.

Visitation will be September 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Dougherty Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be September 5, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s-Gnesen Catholic Church.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.