John Calvin Ball, Jr., the son of the late John Calvin Ball, Sr. and Lola (Smith) Ball, was born on August 20, 1946, in his hometown of Canton, OH. John passed away peacefully in the company of his loving daughter, Ola Ball-Lockett, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

John met and married the late Marcia Britt Ball and to their union were the late John C. Ball, III and Ola Ball-Lockett of Canton, Ohio and then sons, Anthony Mitchell and Anthony Taylor, both of Massillon OH.

John was a McKinley High School graduate and held various jobs during his lifetime; he enjoyed rooting for all the Ohio teams: The Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Ohio State and let’s not forget the McKinley Bulldogs.  John got a lot of enjoyment from watching the soap operas and was a very talented artist.

Preceded in death by his brother Dilliard Ball, son, John C. Ball, III and son-in-law, Richard Lockett Jr. and one grandchild.

John leave to cherish his memory, his daughter, Ola Ball -Lockett (late Richard) of Canton Ohio; son, Anthony (Francis) and Anthony of Massillon Ohio; sister, Michelle McEwen of Canton Ohio; sister, Patricia Ball of Stoneville, NC and close cousin, Louis E. Ball, Jr. of Canton Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, he is also celebrated by many grand and great grandchildren and other relatives, friends and acquaintances.