July 29, 1939– Jan 10, 2025
Larry Murl Ball was born July 29, 1939 in Rocky,OK to Ruemelle (Dietrich) and Lloyd Ball. He passed away January 10, 2025 in Cordell, OK at the age of 85 years. Larry grew up in the Rocky community and graduated from Rocky High School in 1957 where he was a standout member of the basketball and baseball teams. After graduating, Larry attended the University of Oklahoma on a basketball scholarship. They always told the story that Larry was offered a scholarship to play football at Panhandle State University even though he never played football in high school! He then went to Sayre Jr. College to play basketball and baseball. He was the captain of the basketball team and crowned Dorita Bonds as the homecoming queen. This was the beginning of a lifelong love as he and Dorita were wed on May 31, 1959 and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past May. After marrying, they lived in Rocky, Hobart, Norman, and Weatherford while Larry completed his degrees, and finally settled in Sentinel, Oklahoma. They welcomed their first child, Brent, in 1960, their second son, Blake, in 1962, and finally completed their family with a daughter, Becky, in 1968. Larry began his teaching career in Sentinel in 1962 as the boys and girls basketball coach. Throughout his career he also taught history, science and driver’s education as well as being a principal and counselor. Larry also had a passion for horses from the time he was a young boy and was the Sentinel High School rodeo team coach for many years when his sons were competing in rodeos. He also served on the board of directors for the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association. In 1982 they moved to Cordell and Larry served as the high school counselor until he retired in 1995. Although education was his primary career, Larry was always a farmer at heart. He raised cotton and wheat and ran cattle his entire life. He enjoyed being outside and was always a hard worker. He shared his love for farming and horses with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and taught them many life lessons. Larry loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spent countless hours cheering them on at all their sporting events. He was so very proud of them no matter what they were doing. Larry was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church and was an example of his faith to his family as he spent many hours in his chair reading his bible. Larry made a positive impact on the lives of many students in his 33 years of teaching. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his Children: Brent Ball and wife Kristy, Cordell, OK, Blake Ball, Rocky, OK, and Becky Hines and husband Scott, Fort Cobb, OK.
Grandchildren: Dillon Ball and wife Deidra, Cordell, OK, Denton Ball, Amarillo, TX, Dara Steinmetz and husband Garrett, Cashion, OK, Dalton Ball and wife Averie, Cordell, OK, Cameron Hines and wife Cadie, Fort Cobb, OK, and Kellen Hines, Fort Cobb, OK. Great-grandchildren; Brenyn Ball, Blakely Ball, Brylee Ball, Bennett Ball, Kaydence Ball, Sophie Ball, Lillie Steinmetz, Landrie Steinmetz, Locklyn Steinmetz, Elsie Ball and one on the way. Brother: Brad Ball, Norman, OK, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceded in death by his wife, Dorita (Bonds) Ball, Parents Lloyd & Ruemelle (Dietrich) Ball, sister: Lynne (Ball) Morris, and great-granddaughter : Bellamy Ball.
Funeral: 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at First United Methodist Church, Cordell, OK. Visitation: 3:00 - 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2025 and 1:00 - 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, OK. Interment: Lonestar Cemetery, Rocky, OK.
Under the direction of Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, OK