Former Merced County auditor dies at 75

Friends and family of James “Jim” Ball remember the former Merced County auditor, among other titles, as an avid golfer, an outdoorsman and a family man.

Ball died April 12 at age 75.

Ball served various positions for Merced County for nearly 40 years, including auditor-controller, treasurer/tax collector and registrar of voters. He also taught accounting classes at Merced College and Modesto Junior College.

But more than anything, Ball made it his priority to spend time with his family.

“He made time across the board for everybody,” said his daughter Michele Ball. “Family was the most important thing to him.”

Born in Cincinnati, Ball enlisted in the Air Force when he graduated high school. He was stationed at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, where he met his wife, Linda. Together they had three daughters: Cindy, Michele and Nicole.

After serving in the Air Force for four years, Ball enrolled in California State University, Stanislaus, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He later earned his master’s degree from Golden Gate University.

Ball began his career with Merced County in the auditor’s office while going to school. In 1976, he was appointed assistant auditor-controller. More than 20 years later, Ball held numerous top titles with the county.

While working with the county, Ball noticed an opening in the Sheriff’s Department and encouraged his brother-in-law, Richard Hawthorne, to apply. That was the beginning of Hawthorne’s law enforcement career, which eventually led him to being Atwater police chief until he retired in 2011.

“He knew I wanted to get into law enforcement,” Hawthorne said. “When he was in the Air Force, that’s what he did. He was stationed at Castle and worked for the security police squadron.”

Hawthorne said Ball was very conscientious about his jobs with the county.

“He worked very hard at ensuring the county was in the best shape it could be in, and he did that through some very hard times,” Hawthorne said.

Jerry O’Banion, District 5 supervisor, said Ball and a former public health director were instrumental in county negotiations with Sutter Health, the organization that eventually took over operations of the county hospital on 13th Street. Part of the deal, O’Banion said, was that Sutter Health also took on $15 million in debt.

“His financial ability was outstanding,” O’Banion said.

Michele Ball said both her parents enjoyed giving back to their community through volunteerism and fundraising: “It’s just what they did.”

The patriarch of the Ball family enjoyed having his loved ones over for Sunday night barbecues that included music and swimming. Often the barbecues included close family friends, said his youngest daughter, Nicole Anderson.

He also golfed “nonstop,” Michele said.

“He’d be out there before daylight,” Nicole added. “He’d have to use glow-in-the-dark balls so he could find them.”

Ball also enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren camping and fishing. He was an avid hunter along, with his German shorthaired pointer, Sam.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Former Merced County auditor dies at 75."