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Obituary for Elmer Ball
Longtime Oxford resident and retired high school teacher and coach Elmer Ball, 86, died February 28, 2017 following a battle with Alzheimer's. Elmer is predeceased by his parents, Verl and Marcia Ball, his sister, Marcia Watkins, and his loving wife of 45 years Gerry Ball. Gerry passed away in 1999. He is survived by his sons Michael Ball (Christine) and Steven Ball (Kathy); grandchildren Ian Ashton (Laura), Carlee Clinkenbeard (Ryan), Kyle Ball; and great grandchildren Rob and Kate Ashton.
Elmer was born and raised in Reed City MI, the son of Verl and Marcia Ball. He graduated from Reed City High School in 1948. After high school, Ball attended Central Michigan University and graduated in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in Drafting and a minor in History. After graduating, he spent two years serving in the Korean War, where he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. After his military service he married the love of his life Gerry Sack in July of 1954, and they moved to Oxford to begin his teaching career. During his 36-year teaching career, he taught drafting, wood working and mathematics. He retired from teaching in 1990.
In 1963 he began coaching cross country. From 1963-1974 and again from 1995-1996, his teams established a 123-21 dual meet record. He also claimed four Michigan High School Athletic Association regional championships and four league titles and the 1971 Class B boy's runner up state title.
In addition to coaching cross country, he also served as an assistant coach for the track and field team under Coach Lee Noftz from 1964-1980. He was promoted to the head coaching position in 1981 and went on to have a 101-18 record in dual meets. He also captured eight league championships, and Oakland county co-championship and MHSAA Class B boy's track state title in 1991.
When he stepped down following the 1992 season, he had coached 12 individual state champions.
Elmer was also a leader in supporting track and field as well, serving as president of the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association (MITCA) in 1975 and earning numerous awards from the organization. Elmer was named Oakland County Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1991 and earned MITCA Coach of the Year honors in 1983 and 1991 as well. Ball was honored with MITCA's Charles Sweeney Award in 1988 for outstanding service to the sport of track and field, his school, community, and MITCA.
In 2010 he was elected as a charter member of the Oxford High School Athletics Hall of Fame.
Funeral services will be at Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors, 39 W. Burdick, Oxford, on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 11 AM. Pastor Dave Gerber officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 3rd from 3-8 PM and Saturday beginning at 10 AM. Interment at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Oxford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elmer Ball Fund c/o Oxford High School; 745 N Oxford Rd., Oxford, MI 48371.
