Edward J. Ball 111 "Rocky" Obituary (1942 - 2025)

LTCOL Edward John Ball III "Rocky", 83, USMC, Retired, husband of Linda Marie Ball, of Fripp Island, SC, died Monday, August 4, 2025 at his residence. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Anderson Funeral Home. A Memorial service will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Beaufort National Cemetery with full military honors. (The Patriot Guard will lead the procession from Anderson Funeral Home to the National Cemetary at 10:30 am.) Funeral services will follow on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 12:30 pm at Tidal Creek Fellowship on Lady's Island, SC, followed by a short reception. Edward John “Rocky” Ball III was born on April 13, 1942, in Newton, Massachusetts, to Edward John Ball Jr. and Barbara Louise (Johnson) Ball. He spent his early childhood in the Newton area before moving to Camden, Maine, in the 4th grade, where he lived until graduating from Camden High School in 1960. He attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, for one year and then continued working in the Boston area for another year. From there, he attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle, earning a degree in Health and Physical Education. While serving in the Marine Corps, he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Webster University. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Rocky continued his education, obtaining a second master’s degree in Counseling from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, while also building a second career in youth and community service. LtCol Ball honorably served 26 years in the United States Marine Corps. Even though he had already earned a college degree, Rocky chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in June 1967 because he wanted the full Parris Island experience. After Vietnam, he entered the Enlisted Commissioning Program and graduated Officers' Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, in August 1969. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was 0302, Infantry Officer, and he served with distinction in numerous campaigns. As a lieutenant, he served twice as a rifle platoon commander — first with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and later with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan, where he was promoted to Captain. He had another brief tour in Vietnam while serving with the 3rd Marine Division from Okinawa. He attended the Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia, and then served as a Captain’s Ground Monitor at Headquarters Marine Corps before becoming a Tactics Instructor at The Basic School in Quantico, where he commanded three student companies. Rocky later attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico before participating in the Air-Ground Exchange Program with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in Okinawa, Japan. In June 1983, he became the Commanding Officer of Marine Recruiting Station, San Antonio, Texas, where his recruiting station achieved the status of number one in the nation on multiple occasions. In June 1986, he was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he served with the 6th Marine Expeditionary Brigade and deployed to Panama as Operations Officer for COMMARFOR Panama. In July 1989, he was assigned to Beaufort, South Carolina, serving consecutively as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1; Commanding Officer of the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion (July 1990–June 1992); and Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Training Officer. The Commandant (General Carl E. Mundy Jr.) retired Rocky from the Marine Corps June 25, 1993. Rocky’s integrity, honesty, and valor left a lasting impression on those he served alongside. In his Oral History Transcript, former Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Carl E. Mundy Jr. recalled that Rocky “was the best company commander I have ever seen in my life". General James “Mad Dog” Mattis also remembered Rocky as “the man who taught me all I needed to know in the Marine Corps.” His awards were as follows: Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with three stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with two stars and V, Combat Action Ribbon with one star, Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Presidential Unit Citation (USMC), Navy Unit Citation with one star, Meritorious Unit Citation with four stars, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one star, Vietnam Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one star, Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal Color with Palm), Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions Medal First Class Color with Palm). Certificates of Accommodation (2), Letters of Appreciation (3), Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge (7th award). Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, he joined Marine Institutes International, serving in Beaufort, South Carolina, as well as in Georgia and Florida. He established new programs in two states, giving adjudicated youth the opportunity to rebuild their lives and pursue meaningful success. He played a key role in creating an alternative school program called Project SOAR, where he served as director for four years. He was also a certified Crisis Intervention Instructor in both South Carolina and Georgia, equipping others with the skills to guide and protect teachers and youth in challenging situations. He later continued his commitment to young people through the Beaufort County School District, working as a guidance counselor, physical education instructor, and swim instructor at Port Royal Elementary School. After 14 years of dedicated service to the district, he retired on July 1st, 2010. Rocky’s dedication to service extended well beyond his professional career. He was a Stephen Minister at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, offering comfort and guidance to those in need. He and his wife taught Sunday School for many years at several churches, sharing his faith and life lessons with younger generations. He volunteered with a therapeutic equestrian program, helping individuals find healing and strength through working with horses. For many years, he faithfully served in the Kairos International Prison Ministry, sharing hope and encouragement with incarcerated individuals. He also devoted time to the food pantry program at Tidal Creek Fellowship, ensuring that struggling families in the community were cared for. Rocky’s generosity knew no bounds. He believed in offering both his time and fiscal blessings to anyone in need — from bus drivers who became friends, to individuals experiencing homelessness. One summer day he crossed paths with a young man carrying a cat carrier and a dog, walking in the heat toward a homeless shelter. Encounters like these were never met with indifference; Rocky always found a way to help. His kindness touched people from all walks of life — friends, family, and strangers alike — leaving a legacy of compassion that will be remembered by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Linda Marie (Peeler) Ball, two sons, Edward J. Ball, IV (Ted) and Michael P. Ball (Mike), one daughter, Rebecca Marie Salazar (Becky), his son-in-law Gene Scott (Sal) Salazar (who was loved as a "son"), his brother, Richard L. Ball (Rick), nieces Dianne (Johnson) Casey, Krystal Judith Ball and Katie Jane Ball, and three grandchildren, Elizabeth Marie Salazar, Michael Patrick Ball, Jr., and Lily Anne Salazar. Though not bound by blood, he is also survived by "sister" (sister-in-law) Cindy (Sekula) Littlefield, "daughter" Lauren Davis and "granddaughter" Maiya Davis, "son" Charles Liggitt and "grandson" Colton Liggitt, and "grandsons" Kalan Michael Yonke and Tanner Michael Jessip. Each are bound to him by deep and enduring love. Rocky was predeceased by his parents Edward J Ball, Jr., Barbara L. (Johnson, Ball) Bray, sister Judith Louise (Ball) Johnson, and niece Bethany Joyce (Ball) Neppl. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to: Tidal Creek Fellowship Church (https://www.tidalcreek.net/give) Kairos Prison Ministry International (https://www.kairoslegacy.org/?pageID=174) ASPCA (https://shorturl.at/GGtG0) Marine Corps (Association) Foundation (https://fundraise.givesmart.com/f/4o32/n?vid=1kz9dw) Fripp Island Deer Fund (https://www.fidpandwf.org/)