John R. "Jackie Boy" Ball Jr.

John was born in Elizabeth New Jersey on Tuesday, July 10, 1928 and passed to God peacefully on Thursday, October 27, 2016 in Stuart, Florida after a long illness.

He was a devoted son, great husband and wonderful father.

He is predeceased by his father John R. Sr. and his mother Ellen Caulfield Ball.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia A., sister Helen Cook (Claude), daughters Susan M. Dooley (Thomas), Cathy Ann Ball, VMD, Elizabeth Edlund (George) and son John R. III, eight grandchildren, Thomas E. “Ted” (Teresa), Michael P. (Shanna), and Bridget Mary Dooley. John R. IV ”Jake”, Bryan J. and Michael P. Ball. Kiersten M. and George D. “Deems” Edlund. Three great-grandsons, Connor, Aedan, and Dasan Dooley and three nieces.

John graduated from Edison Technical School, Elizabeth New Jersey, where he played basketball, with his team winning the championship in 1945 and Provost Marshall School, Seoul Korea, Military Police Training.

John served faithfully in 6th Military Police Platoon, Pusan Korea from 1946 to 1948 with an Honorable Discharge on January 30, 1948.

John was a professional motor tank driver for Exxon in Linden, New Jersey for 38 years with a stellar safety achievement of the 2 Million Miles Safe Driving Award. He lived in Cranford since 1954 retiring in 1986 and moved to Hobe Sound, Florida in 1992. John continued to work in New Jersey during the summer at Monmouth Park Race Track in the Admissions department for 17 years, a job he considered his best job ever and a labor of love.

John was a communicant of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Cranford, New Jersey and St Christopher Catholic Church, Hobe Sound, Florida. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Garwood, New Jersey and Hobe Sound, Florida. He is a Gold Circle Member of the Hall-Bryan VFW Post 10132 in Hobe Sound. He was President of the Heritage Ridge Association of Hobe Sound for 2 years and Member of Heritage Ridge Golf Association for many years.

John was an avid, skillful golfer, recording 2 life time hole-in-ones and also enjoyed fishing. His passion was following thoroughbred racing and was an owner in DeeTee Stables.

Visitation will be Friday, November 4, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Aycock Funeral Home Young & Prill Chapel, 6801 SE Federal Highway, Stuart, Florida 34997. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Army at 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 12001 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455.

In lieu of flowers the family requests you make a donation to Martin Health Foundation https://www.martinhealth.org/foundation