Obituary of JOE CROCKETT BALL

Joe C. Ball was born 3/10/1934 in Los Angeles and died 3/24/2022 in Placerville California. He is survived by his son Mark C. Ball, daughter in law Cindie Schooner-Ball, daughter Rachel Owen and son-in-law John Owen. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary ‘Penny’ Ball. Joe received his undergraduate degree in Zoology at San Diego State and his PhD in entomology at UC Berkeley. Much of his professional career was devoted to research for bio pest control. One of his lifelong passions was herpetology, evident at a young age as he began studying reptiles in the Southern California deserts. Furthering his passion for wildlife he worked at the San Diego Zoo in high school and college, as did his wife Penny. Both mom and dad loved to travel and visited many countries, mom for historical context and dad always with an eye for animals and insects. After retiring he volunteered at the Placerville animal shelter. Joe was an avid birder and observer of nature, he could be seen well into his 80’s walking one of his rescued senior dogs and using his magnifying glass (always around his neck on a chain) to identify various insects or plant diseases and with his binoculars at the ready. Joe was always incredibly proud of his family and was a quiet, generous man with natural humility. He will be deeply missed.