Donald Ball, a loving husband, father, brother and friend to many, was born on August 12, 1929 in St. Ignatius, Montana to Ray and May Ball. Don was the only son and the oldest of the four children. His sisters are Dorothy, Eleanor, and Esther. The Ball Family lived in St. Ignatius for a number of years before moving around Montana, to Spokane, and finally settling in Deer Park.

Growing up, life was full of basic needs that had to be taken care of to survive. The early years were spent in a home with no electricity or running water. Don
remembered splitting wood for heating and cooking, as well as harnessing the team of horses. As the town did not have running water, he had to help his father pack water for his barber shop so it could be heated and used by customers to shave and bathe.

He graduated from Deer Park High School in 1948 and married Lorraine Milner on July 15, 1951. Before they started their family, Don and Lorraine briefly lived in England when Don was stationed there for the Air National Guard with the 81st Fighter Wing during the Korean War in 1952. Don and Lorraine returned to Spokane, Washington. He worked for Inland Power and Light before they moved to Deer Park and he began to farm their place as well as his in-law's place. He was also milking cows at this time.

Don and Lorraine started the Clayton Drive-In in 1960. Lorraine did all the books for the farm and the restaurant while also working in the restaurant. Don did the farming, milking, and then finished up at the restaurant. Their eldest daughter, Karen, was born in 1957, their son, Steven, was born in 1963 and their second daughter, Elaine, was born in 1967.

Don was a hard worker. A member of the Church of Christ, the Williams Valley Grange, the Gideons, Clayton/Deer Park Historical Society and the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers. On top of all this, they raised a family, took care of his father-in-law with Parkinson's Disease, then took care of his mother in-law until the end of her life. Somehow he found time to be involved in the activities of their grandchildren, Cory Adams and Nikole Ball. Don also took care of his wife Lorraine in her latter years as her health declined.

Don loved to get out and about to visit with as many people as possible. He was alway interested in everyone's story and had a unique ability to remember their genealogy. Talk with Don long enough and eventually you may have found out that you were related, maybe by a third cousin twice removed, but in Don's eyes related.

Don will be missed and loved. We take comfort that he is home with the Lord.

The Family requests no flowers be sent. If you wish to make a donation, please do so in the name of Donald Ball at the following places:

Gideon's International

c/o Steve Minnich

171 Pine Hill Rd Newport, WA 99156

or

Clayton/Deer Park Historical Society

c/oBill Sebright

PO Box 293

Clayton, WA 99110