RONALD RIGGS BALL

Ronald Riggs Ball, born May 20, 1940, in Colby, KS, passed from this life to be with the Lord on November 23, 2023. Surrounded by his loving family, he passed in comfort and with dignity according to his wishes in his home in Santa Fe, NM.

Ron devoted his life to providing for his family. He deeply desired to offer his wife, Jean, and his three children the best life he possibly could. He was a hard and dedicated worker, entrepreneur, investor, and saver. He grew up in Boulder, CO, and told a story about the first time he got a paycheck when he was eight years old, which spurred his ambition to succeed.

Ron started his career with Safeway grocery stores in Denver, Colorado, where he managed several stores in the Denver area in the late sixties and early seventies. In 1974, the family moved to Santa Fe, NM, where Ron’s wife, Jean Egenhofer, was born and raised. Here, Ron nurtured his desire for investing and entrepreneurship. While working for Safeway in Santa Fe, he also started selling real estate and looking for “fixer-uppers” to invest in.

Ron was a Realtor from 1976 through the early 2000s, initially working with Barker Realty, then brokering his own agencies, Coronado Investment Realty and Ball Realty. He earned his Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designations. He was on the Board of Directors for the Santa Fe Board of Realtors from 1985–1989 and held several offices, including Board President in 1989. He also served as Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, MLS Chairman, Chairman of the Grievance Committee, and served on the Professional Standards Committee for the Santa Fe Board of Realtors. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Realtors Association of New Mexico, serving as the State Board Services Chairman and the State MLS Chairman. He was exofficial Director of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce and served on the Community Advisory Board for the New Mexico Federal Savings and Loan.

Ron was active with the Boy Scouts as a volunteer leader and a member of the Order of the Arrow. Ron was also a proud and active member of the Scottish and York Rite Masonic organizations, a Shriner inducted in Denver and Santa Fe, and held the designation of 50-year member.

Ron attained his goals toward success and supported his family with the best life! He loved his family dearly. A lifelong learner, Ron encouraged the best formal education possible for his children and grandchildren. He also loved to share his lifetime of personal wisdom with family and friends. Ron loved people and loved being surrounded by friends and family. He and Jean traveled the world together for many years, often with family and friends, visiting six continents and scores of countries, and toured the U.S. in their motor home.

When Ron’s wife of 60 years passed unexpectedly in the summer of 2022, Ron was deeply grieved. Later in life, he referred to her as his guardian angel. He found solace in the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe and attended multiple events each week for the last year of his life.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of sixty years, Jean Ann Egenhofer Ball, his parents Harold F. Ball and Virginia M. Brown, both of Denver, CO, and his brother Fred Ball. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Tim and Mary Ann Ball of Elizabeth, CO; Susan and Andy Ortiz of Santa Fe; and Chris and Amy Ball of Chapin, SC; eight grandchildren, Jessica, Justin (Leah), Ryan, Steven, Matthew, Andy, Nicholas (Kaylie), and Brian; five great-grandchildren; and his sister Tami Kessler (Drew) of Denver.

A service will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 208 Grant Ave., Santa Fe, NM. All are welcome to attend.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: Shriners Hospitals for Children 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607 US OR https://www.shrinerschildrens.org