Dr. Flamen “David” Ball Sep. 19, 2024 It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce the passing of Flamen “David” Ball VI, age 84, of Denton, Texas.
He died after a short battle with brain cancer on September 19, 2024, peacefully with his wife by his side. David will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 58 years, Margie; children, Michael (Amy) Ball, Matthew (Leslie) Ball, and Marissa (Mark) Glasschroeder; grandchildren, Colton (Stormie) Glasschroeder, Lilly Glasschroeder, Trinity Ball, Tristan Ball, Carter Ball, Rylie Glasschroeder, Callie Ball; great-grandchildren, Tinslee Glasschroeder and Cohen Ball. David was predeceased by his parents, Flamen and Elfrieda Ball; sister, Virginia Ball Bauer; and his adored poodle, Benji.
Flamen Ball VI, affectionately known as “David”, was born April 15, 1940 in Yonkers, New York. His childhood homes were in Mt. Vernon, NY, Scarsdale, NY, Atlanta, GA and Jacksonville, FL.
At age 14, his father’s New York Life employment transferred them across the country to Los Altos, California. David was the only son of Flamen Ball V “Bill” and Elfrieda Boy Ball, and had one younger sister, “Ginny”. From childhood forward, David had a love of all things related to the outdoors.
His father’s passion was to explore America’s beautiful sites and he inherited this love from him. After graduating from Los Altos High School in 1958, David attended Pomona College in Claremont, California where he graduated in 1962. One of David’s first jobs was at Jackson Lake Lodge in the Grand Teton National Park, where he worked in the summers of his college days.
This job no doubt further developed his passion for hiking, backpacking and visiting dozens and dozens of National Parks throughout his lifetime. David received his medical training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, graduating in 1966. He then began his pediatric residency.
It was around this time that David began attending First Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas where he met and married the love of his life, Margie Barber Ball on August 20, 1966. Upon completion of his residency, David was drafted into the Navy in 1968 and served in the Naval Reserve as a Base physician until 1970. Margie and David began their family in Norfolk, Virginia where he was stationed.
During his active duty, David was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. After his deployment, they returned to Houston where he practiced pediatrics from 1971 to 1978. In 1978, David and his family moved to Nacogdoches, Texas where he practiced pediatrics for 27 years.
During those years, Dr. Ball cared for the children and families of his community with skill, compassion, and kindness. He worked at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital accepting patients of all socioeconomic backgrounds, never turning a child or family away.
He also served five years on the board of directors for Nacogdoches Treatment Center and as president for one year (1986-87). For over 27 years, Dr. Ball provided physicals to the children of Nacogdoches Head Start and found so much joy in doing so.
A devoted member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nacogdoches, David found a deep sense of spirituality from singing faithfully in the choir for over 40 years. He also taught Sunday school and was an elder of the church, serving on the session for six years. After closing his private practice, David worked as a campus physician for Stephen F.
Austin State University from 2006-2011. At that time and later into his retirement, David and Margie began traveling the country and eventually reached the accomplishment of visiting 49 states together. Just as his father before him, David would go on to inspire his children and grandchildren to explore and travel, seeing and appreciating God’s creation.
In the spring of 2022, David and Margie left their beloved home of 44 years to relocate to Denton, Texas to be near family. There they joined St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.
Few things could bring David more joy than: his beloved Margie, his children and grandchildren/great grandchildren, his best friend/poodle Benji, attending Sunday school and church, hymns, singing in the choir, traveling — Big Bend National Park was a favorite and Mo-Ranch in Hunt, Texas, where he attended 24 Men’s Conferences and Music & Worship Conferences, gardening, bird watching, reading, watching sports (Houston Astros, Houston Texans, and the Houston Rockets), grilling/BBQ, and laughter. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 28th at 1:00 pm at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 300 West Oak Street, Denton, Texas.
The service will also be live streamed at standrewdenton.com . Memorial donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church (903 North St.
Nacogdoches, Texas 75961), St. Andrew Presbyterian Church (300 West Oak St. Denton, Texas 76201) and Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (P.
O. Box 140888 Austin, TX 78714).
