Howard Lee Ball, Jr. was born August 24, 1949, to Howard Sr. and Freda (Graham) Ball in Council Bluffs, Iowa. After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and proudly served his country in Vietnam in 1969. After returning from his years of service, Howard moved to Colorado where he attended University of Northern Colorado and stayed in the area after graduating. Soon he met the love of his life, Sharleen Martens. They married on March 1, 1980, and have laughed and adventured almost every day since. Together, they adopted two children, Veronica “Ronnie” and Howard “Howie”, and made wonderful friends who became like family. 

Upon retirement, Howard returned the focus of his energies to serving his country, this time through working with veterans. He served as a mentor in the Veterans Treatment Court of Douglas County, volunteered with the Vietnam Veterans of America, and was serving as vice president on the board of the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the time of his death. When he wasn’t working for these organizations, he focused on his other passions: his grandkids, his friends and family, and his Mustang. 

He was a loving grandfather with three grandkids who adored him and who will miss him deeply. He was a fun-loving and generous friend. Howard was a prankster with an incredible sense of humor and a penchant for slightly inappropriate jokes. Our world will be a little less fun without him in it, but it was made so much brighter for knowing him. We love you Howard.