Rodney John Ball

It has been said “Don’t be afraid to be ambitious about your goals. Hard work never stops. Neither should your dreams.” And so it was for Rodney John Ball, age 68 of Mason, Michigan. Rodney began his ambitious and hard-working life April 18, 1953, the son of Robert and Marian Ball and fond sibling to Michael Ball and Dawn Lukasik. He was a “big guy with big dreams” who won the heart of his life-long friend and wife of 49 years, Patricia at an early age while working at K-Mart. Her hobbies were his hobbies and together they enjoyed all that gardening and wildlife had to offer. Their family grew to include three sons Brian (Tara) Ball, Steve (Franni) Ball and Jeffrey (Morgan) Ball; and daughter Rebecca (Ronald) Philbrook; all of whom witnessed his stubborn tenacity and sheer determination to provide the very best for his loving family. Time with them was well spent as they each learned the value of family, hard work and perseverance. Shooting, hunting and fishing topped the list of interests that Rodney shared and cultivated with his wife and children through the years along with his love of woodworking. And yet, nothing surpassed his love for his family and the pride he had in each of them as they grew and found their own success in their individual careers and as parents to his dearly loved grandchildren. His “rough edges” softened with the addition of each new grandchild… Payton, Reese, Wyatt, Spencer, Hazel and Parker Ball, Avery, Ashlyn, Alivia, and Alexis Philbrook; all of whom brought him unsurpassed joy.

Rodney provided for his family as a millwright for General Motors for more than 30 years earning the title “Rocket Rod” from his closest friends when time afforded a leisurely game of baseball. A title he accepted in good humor knowing full well speed was not his greatest achievement. Meat and potatoes filled his plate and family filled his table and all of it deliciously satisfied his desire to be the best provider for his wife, children and grandchildren and for Rodney that is what mattered most. “Do it right the first time” was the motto by which he lived and do it right he did. He leaves behind his loving family who would wish for nothing more than one more time to say “I love you”!

Services will be scheduled at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grbdmason.com for the Ball family.