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James Augustus "Bubba" Ball
March 19, 1922-November 27, 2018
Columbus, GA-
James A. "Bubba" Ball, 96, of Columbus, GA died Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM Friday, November 30, 2018 at Morningside Baptist Church with Dr. Kevin Calhoun officiating. Interment will be held in Parkhill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory.
Coach Ball was born March 19, 1922 in Bessemer, AL son of the late Judge Frank and May Belle McKinney Ball. He was the 1940 graduate of Bessemer High School and was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving as an Aviation Machinist Mate First Class during World War II. Coach Ball was a graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) and later became a Teacher, Coach and Athletic Director. He served at Baker High School, Gainesville Junior College, Hardaway High and Shaw High Schools. Coach Ball played professional baseball in Columbus, Newnan, Miami, Lake Charles and was a player agent in Opelika, Andalusia and Headland. He also played professional basketball for the Birmingham Vulcans.
Coach Ball was a former member of First Baptist Church in Bessemer, AL, Edgewood Baptist Church, Hilton Terrace Baptist Church and was a current member of Morningside Baptist Church. He served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, R.A. Leader and various other committees throughout the church.
Other than his parents, Coach Ball was preceded in death by his daughters, Maybelle Ball Teeters, Jane Ellen Ball Cahoon and brothers, William Franklin Ball, Sr., Benjamin Ball and Foy Colquitt Ball.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Deborah Cheek Ball of Columbus, GA, daughter, Kathy Bolles (John) of Pine Mountain, GA, sons, Dusty Perdue (Jennifer) of Phenix City, AL, James Augustus "Austin" Ball, Jr. (Emily) of Norcross, GA and Alex Ball of Columbus, GA, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and two very special nieces, Linda Pierce and Nancy Stevens.
In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to Morningside Baptist Church Youth Ministry Fund, 6065 Morningside Drive Columbus, GA 31909 in memory of James A. "Bubba" Ball.
Those who wish may sign the on-line guest registry at www.mcmullenfuneralhome.com.
Published in Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Nov. 29, 2018
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COLUMN: Bubba Ball won lots of ball games, but more than that he won the enduring love of a school
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Our beloved Coach James Augustus (Bubba) Ball passed away this Tuesday Morning (November 27, 2018). He was 96. His birthday is in March and we always celebrate his birthday at our March luncheon.
I got to know Coach Ball much better after I moved back to Columbus 17 years ago. We got our haircuts at the same place and then when we started doing interviews of the Teachers/Coaches about 12 years ago Coach Ball was the second I did: Click below to see the interviews.
This is Coach James Augustus Ball 1st interview on May 8, 2011 on "You Tube". The address for that is:
This is coach Bubba Ball 2nd interview on May 8, 2011.
This is Coach Ball 3rd Interview on May 8, 2011. The address is:
Coach James Ball 4th Interview on "You Tube". Address is
Coach Ball leaves a positive legacy for all of us. Baker High School were the best years of his life. He repeated it many times at the luncheons and other places. He has helped so many athletics get into college and just to be successful in life. I recall when I was playing for the 101st Screaming Eagles, I came to Columbus and visited him and he got after me for not studying harder and not going to college. He was proud that I was doing well and encouraged me to follow my studies. I finally did when I was 29 years old.
Ismael 'Ish' Nazario '61
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Charlie Banister (1965)
Bubba gave me the confidence and skills I needed to take my game to the next level. He was instrumental in my getting a scholarship so he was responsible for my 32 year teaching career. I wish he had appeared at our 50th reunion so could have seen him one last time to thank him. God be with you and thanks for everything you did for me and all who were ever touched by you.
Ron Ogletree (1964)
Coach Ball was an honorable man and was always very kind to me. He gave me a chance to play competitive sports when I hardly deserved it. He will be missed by all of us that knew him.
Terry Howard (1965)
Bubba Ball was definitely one of a kind. Playing basketball for him was a complete learning experience. Running the Auburn shuffle, and practice after school are fond memories that I have never forgotten. Going on road trips, and being driven to those games by coach in his personal car. Stopping at Black Angus for pizza after the game is burned in my memory. I had not seen coach in several years, but I thought of him often. Rest in peace coach.
Ray Buran (1968)
Coach Ball, While I was not a "Premier Athelete" as others were in my 3 years at BHS and 1 at the Freshman center, you were a man that I admired. I watched from the sidelines mostly as your skills honed great players from my fellow classmates. We won a lot of games under your coaching skills and enjoyed a high degree of "Esprit De Corps". I loved going to Memorial Coliseum and the different other high schools to watch you and our team kick butt. So long Coach Ball - you were one of "Baker's" finest!
Ricky Howard (1967)
Bubba was my high school and college coach and I have no words to describe my appreciation for all that he did for me as a person and a player. I can still see that sly smile of his when talking to him. He inspired me every day to be the best that I could be and you never wanted to disappoint coach. That two hand set shot of his was deadly in a game of horse, and he would rub it in and smile as he beat you with it. He will always be a Baker Lion. Rest in peace, coach.
Rick Howard- Class of "67"
Marlene Carr (Lantzer) (1975)
Sincere condolences to all family, friends and classmates. Rest in Peace. You will be dearly missed.
Milton Caffey **
one day coach and i were talking and he said , milton , you know i'm never gonna die , i'm too ornery. well , he was right , he never will die as long as his family , friends , students and most of all his former players are alive , because we all owe him so much. god bless you coach. milton caffey
Allen (David) Phillips III (1967)
Heartbroken to hear about Coach Ball. When I speak to people about my high school basketball career I always talk about Coach Ball. In my mind he was a god. I tell everyone he was Baker's basketball version of Bear Bryant. I hated disappointing Coach Ball but unfortunately for me it happened frequently. I only got to play for him my Junior year as he left to coach college basketball my senior year. The good news was his influence was obviously predominate through his freshman and "B" team coaches. I can honestly say I have thought of Coach Ball sporadically thorough out my life since high school. Once you know and play for him you never forget. God Bless you coach!
Carolyn Louise Wright (Mitchell) (1965)
I remember Coach Ball. He was always there to support Baker's teams....however please edit the notification.. there seams to be a typo, Carolyn (Wright) Mitchell class of 65
Brenda Hollis (Glueck) (1965)
WHAT WONDERFUL MEMORIES WE ALL HAVE OF COACH BALL. HE MADE OUR TIME AT BAKER SUCH FUN BECAUSE SPORTS WAS IMPORTANT TO MOST OF US. COACH ENCOURAGED ME TO ATTEND BAKER RATHER THAN COLUMBUS HIGH. WE WERE BOTH MEMBERS OF EDGEWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH, AND HE SAID I WOUD LOVE BAKER, WHICH I DID. REST IN PEACE AND GOD LOVE YOU.
BRENDA HOLLIS GLUECK '65.