James Aaron Ball Jr

James Aaron Ball, Jr., best known to everyone as “JayBall,” passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 3 at his home in Dalton, Ga. He was 77. Born to Margaret Rogers and Aaron Ball, Jay, who was also called “Jimmie” when he was young, was the oldest of four siblings.

Jay graduated from Dalton High School in 1964, then attended West Georgia College and Georgia State University. In the early 1970s, he earned his pilot’s license and flew with Volunteer Airlines before becoming a Certified Flight Instructor. He later ran a successful textile machinery sales company throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

An avid runner, Jay ran several marathons and once rode his bike from north Georgia to Florida in the 1980s. He was an accomplished piano player and guitarist, always willing to entertain at parties.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Aaron Ball, Sr.; his mother, Margaret Rogers Ball; and his brother, Randall Ball.

Jay is survived by the mother of his children, Phyllis Talley Ball of Dalton; a son, James Ball, his wife Pamela, and their sons Thomas and Alex of Norfolk, VA; a daughter, Ashley Stein, her husband Noah, and their sons Ari and Elliot of Chattanooga, Tennessee; a brother, Ronnie Ball of St. Petersburg, Fl; a sister, Angela Ball Shore of Dalton; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will be holding a private funeral. A visitation and celebration of life will be held at Love Funeral Home on Saturday, September 16 from 2-4 pm for those wishing to pay tribute to Jay. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Humane Society of Northwest Georgia may be made in Jay’s honor.