Wesley Harrell Ball

Wesley Harrell Ball passed away on March 17, 2019 at the age of 54.  He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on December 4, 1964. No wonder he liked the cold. He moved to Plano in 1966 with his big brother Mark and his parents Frank and Gail. Just a few years later he was joined by his little sister Lura.

The family spent all of Wes’ childhood in Plano attending Meadows Elementary, Foreman Elementary, Bowman Middle, Williams Junior High, and PESH – Plano East Senior High or more commonly referred to by his wife – that other high school. He was so proud to say he was the 4 ^th graduate from PESH. He was in the 1 ^st graduating class from PESH.

Throughout high school, he was active in the theatre – behind the scenes supporting everyone else as was in his nature. He worked at Park Boulevard Players (summer community theater) where he met Laura Jean. Shortly after, he went to San Diego for basic training with the Navy. Laura and Wes continued dating long distance which wasn’t easy without internet or cell phones. One day, he came home on a visit and asked Laura to marry him. She said no. At only 17, she was not ready for a life time commitment – so she thought. As true to his nature, he didn’t give up and the long-distance relationship continued. Finally, he got his way – again the norm – and Wes and Laura became engaged. Wes and Laura had a huge catholic full mass wedding with all the trimmings on May 21, 1988. Wes was 23.

Wes was still in the Navy, moved to Maine where they built and commissioned his ship the USS Thomas S. Gates. God soon blessed them with their first son Phillip James. Wes found out 6 days after Phillip was born that he was a dad – remember cell phones or internet weren’t common. Wes met Phillip for the 1 ^st time when Phillip was 2 months old. Wes was transferred and stationed in Norfolk Virginia. Laura and new born Phillip moved to Virginia so now the three are together to start their family. Six years and six days later God blessed the couple again with Matthew Jacob. After 6 years in the service he asked for a shore job. The thought was to go career, but the request was declined. Wes chose to leave the service to spend more time with his family and they moved back to Texas. Two weeks after he left the service, his ship sailed toward Desert Storm. The ship remained off-shore for two years, preventing sailors from returning home.

Meanwhile Mark, Wes’ older brother had moved to be at Rice University in Houston and had fallen in love with Nancy. They later blessed Wes with a niece, Caroline. Wes’ little sister, Lura had grown up and was attending SFA university in Nacogdoches.

The family lived in Plano and the boys grew up through the Plano schools Memorial Elementary, Bowman Middle, Williams Junior High, PESH – that other high school. Wes was the best Dad ever. From reading bedtime stories, to shooting, and the late-night heart felt talks, he did it all.  He wanted to be there for his boys and became the ultimate Boy Scout leader recognizing that he could be there not just for his two sons but for so many other boys as well. Over 20 years of volunteering – starting when Phillip was in 2 ^nd grade and continuing even after Matthew had graduated high school. Some of his proudest scouting moments include:

• Silver Beaver award
• Member of the Order of the Arrow
• Never having a major injury on any of his ranges – ever
• Successful Cub Scout Day Camp Director for over 800 boys with over 60 volunteers with wife and sons proudly standing beside him

Boy Scouting was important to him.

Meanwhile Lura has now blessed Wes with a niece and nephew – Lindsey Lapeyrouse and Jacob Lapeyrouse.  Lura’s family residing in Houston.

As time moved along, Phillip joined the Air Force. Matthew is currently going to school, working and interning at Meadows Baptist church working toward going into Ministry. Wes was so proud of both his children. Both grew up as wonderful, decent young men. Both chose a of life of service, but as they are completely different, serving in completely different ways – Military and God.

Wes’ boys are a great reflection of their father. Wes was all about giving, loving and supporting others. Which anyone who knew him didn’t need that information, they already knew. If you knew him, I’m sure he offered his love or support to you in one way or another. Maybe not in words – he probably just did it.

Wes’ work life included the Navy as an IC2 (Internal Communications Electrician), a Cable Company (he climbed telephone poles), Mater Video (TV repairs), EDS (field technician to server repairs) and at Elm Fork – Rifle and Pistol side (Range Safety Office to Field Operations Manager).

Frank and Gail moved to Austin late in life. To Wes’ great sadness his father passed away in November 2018. It is a given that they are together in Heaven doing chores, helping others or watching the planes.

We never like to think about regrets. But most of us have some. If he had any it would be not spending enough time with his family, extended family, and friends. He loved so many and the family is so great that there would never be enough hours for him to be with everyone as much as he would have liked. He didn’t just have the Ball and Harrell clans from Whitewright Texas to West Point Georgia, but he had the Frazee clan (Laura’s paternal family) and the Thomas clan (Laura’s maternal family) as well. He truly was loved and part of the Frazee and Thomas clans. They accepted him into their hearts and will be forever held there as well.

Laura and Wes didn’t have the easiest of lives. Challenges, bumps and curves were on every path. But the love and romance were strong. They promised early on to say I love you every day – and they did. How many husbands pump gas for their wives every time? Only one other is known as that tradition was passed down from Laura’s family. Wes would get up early on cold days and warm Laura’s pants in the dryer so she would have warm toasty pants to start the cold day. Laura doesn’t like the cold.  Theirs was a great love story full of the little things in life that brought the greatest joys. Thirty years of marriage was not enough.

Survivors include his mother, Gail Ellen Harrell Ball; wife, Laura Jean Ball; sons, Phillip James Ball and Matthew Jacob Ball and a ton of family and friends whom he loved and supported.

A Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, March 25, 2019 at Meadows Baptist Church, 3001 Los Rios Plano, Texas 75074.