Mark James Ball was born June 25, 1958, in Houston, Texas to Charles Edward Ball and Etsuko (Takahashi) Ball and raised in Alief, Texas. He died peacefully March 21, 2024, in Billings, Montana, surrounded by the love of God and his beloved family at the age of 65.

Outside of his family, the three greatest influencers of Mark’s life were the Boy Scouts of America, the United States Navy, and his conversion to the Catholic faith.

His father’s roots were in Montana, and he fell in love with the state as a child, promising to live here someday. Mark kept his promise, moving his family here in 1996. He loved hiking, back-packing, camping, fishing, and mentoring. He was an Eagle Scout and served as Scoutmaster to local Billings Troop 10. He took the Boy Scout Oath to heart and lived it – “…physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

He joined the Navy after two years at the University of Houston and was on active duty from 1978 to 1984. He learned a disciplined life as a Machinist Mate, 1st Class, serving on both a Destroyer (USS Conyngham, east coast) and a Cruiser (USS Gridley, west coast). He was a member of Andrew Pearson American Legion Post 117 in Billings. He traveled the world in the Navy and went on to become a Power Plant Operator at W.A. Parish power station outside of Houston and at J.E. Corette power station in Billings until it was retired. He was currently working as Assistant Shift Supervisor at Colstrip power plant.

Mark married Theresa Rose Blake on September 7, 1984, at the naval base chapel in San Diego, California. They met in Long Beach, California when Mark’s ship was in port for repairs and Theresa’s car had broken down. After seeing his daughter’s ultrasound in 1985, he became pro-life at all levels of development and was proud to have designed a memorial for the unborn in Rosenberg, Texas. He was a monthly contributor to pregnancy-aid centers for the rest of his life. He chose to become Catholic in the spring of 1991. He was a current member of both St. Thomas Men’s Society and Don Ryan KC Council #13050, serving in the Knights of Columbus for 32 years.

Mark loved working on old cars and was still restoring his 1969 Chevy Impala. He was a do-it-yourselfer for almost everything and enjoyed utilizing Google and YouTube. Mark was a perfectionist. He always sought to grow and learn – whether at his job or in his everyday life. To those who knew him, he only got better each year. He had a tender heart that would shine through smiling tears when something touched him deeply, and he’d point at you as if to say, “I’m not crying - you’re crying.” Theresa will especially miss that. We are all grateful to have had him in our lives.

Mark was strong, passionate about his faith, family, and country, soft-spoken (generally), loyal, observant, and always willing to help anyone. He saw many who were invisible to others and coaxed them out to be seen. Mark was a devoted son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was unwavering in his love for his wife, Theresa, and their children Karen, Daniel, and Eric. His love grew greater with those they added into his life.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Etsuko. Mark is survived by his wife, Theresa, children, Karen (Brandon), Daniel (Stephany), and Eric, and their children, Carter, Hagen, and Hannah, his brothers David and John, his Uncle Jim and cousin Melissa who were constants for him, and many other cherished family members and friends simply too numerous to mention. Special thanks and love to the YMCA staff, as well as the Emergency and ICU teams of doctors and nurses responsible for Mark’s care at Billings Clinic. Their dedicated knowledge, kindness, and compassion continued for 16 long days. They will be remembered by the family for the rest of our lives.

A vigil service took place on Thursday, April 4th, 6 pm at St. Thomas church in Billings, 2055 Woody Drive. The funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Thomas on Friday, April 5th at 10 am, and burial took place at Yellowstone National Cemetery, 55 Buffalo Trail Road in Laurel at 2 pm. Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Church or LaVie Health of Billings.