Following is the obituary for JOHN “JEB” E. BALL, submitted for his family by the MacDonald Funeral Home in Marshfield, Mass.

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John Eric Ball (Jeb), 59, a resident of Duxbury, Mass., who grew up in Westport, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2024, surrounded by his loving and devoted family. 

While always an active and healthy man, Jeb was suddenly diagnosed with a serious infection that required hospitalization for heart valve surgery. Despite fighting extremely hard for his life for three weeks in intensive care, Jeb passed away due to complications from endocarditis. 

In the days and weeks before Jeb’s hospitalization, he played golf with his sons, went horseback riding in Utah, traveled to Australia for business and celebrated his 32nd wedding anniversary in Maine with Ginger, the love of his life. 

Words cannot describe how much he was loved, what he meant to his family and how deeply he will be missed by everyone who knew him.  

Jeb was born in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 14, 1965, and grew up in Westport. He graduated from Staples High School in 1983 and received his B.A. from Wabash College in 1988.

He lived with a heart full of curiosity, and his spirit embraced every moment. Throughout his career, Jeb held several executive leadership roles in the printing industry before moving into the HVAC industry, where he served as the VP of sales and marketing at Fieldpiece Instruments. 

Jeb cherished every moment spent with family, friends and colleagues, whether on the beach, boat, ski slope or golf course. His natural inquisitiveness made him an engaging conversationalist — you could talk to Jeb for hours about anything and everything. Living large was how he did everything, never hesitating to speak his mind, sing loudly or laugh heartily. He truly brought joy and authenticity to every moment.

Jeb’s family was the heart and soul of his life. He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Ginger (Grace) Ball, of 32 years. He was the proud and loving father of Jack (29), Bridget (27) and Colin (24). He also leaves behind his mother, Stephanie Ball (Cotuit, Mass.), brother Scott Ball (Cotuit, Mass.) and sister Jacqueline Vitaro (Duxbury, Mass.). He is also survived by his loving sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly. Jeb is now reunited in heaven with his father, the late Robert D. Ball.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, Aug. 12, from noon to 4 p.m. at Marshfield Country Club, 515 Moraine St., Marshfield, Mass., 02050. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

All will remember Jeb for his sense of humor, sharp style, quick-tempered wit, passion for the art of conversation and debate, and sly dancing. It is the wish of his family for everyone to spread Jeb’s big personality in all that they do. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association via this dedicated memorial webpage: American Heart Association Memorial Fund in Memory of Jeb Ball.

For online guest book, driving directions and other information, visit the macdonaldfuneralhome.com website.