Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
widowed in 1996: children: Dave and Mike; married Connie Munsell in 2000
Number of Children: 2
Background
Education:
graduated from Owosso High School;
attended the University of Michigan;
BS, in Optometry and MA in Physiological Optics from Ohio State University;
PhD in Experimental Visual Psychology from Michigan State University
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Dr. L.P. and Nell Ball. In 1958, joined his father's private optometry practice in Owosso, which was started in 1916. In 1961, he became an associate professor in physiology and an adjunct associate professor in osteopathic medicine at Michigan State University. He is the author or co-author of 26 published articles. Active in the formation of the Michigan College of Optomitry at Ferris State University.
He served 2 years in the U.S. Army at the eye clinic in Fort Carson, CO.
Ball also served on the Shiawassee County Health Board and as chair of the vision section for the Michigan Public Health Association. Elected member of the Owosso Public School Board of Education from 1982-1991, serving the last 6 years as its president. He returned to the board of education in 1997 and continued as a member until his resignation on Jan. 10, 2005.
Notable Facts:
Awards from the Michigan Optometric Association including the Key Man Award, Optometrist of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award. He was the 2nd person to receive the prestigious Carol C. Koch Award from the American Academy of Optometry and is one of only 2 optometrists in the state to be named a Distinguished Practitioner in the National Academy of Practice in Optometry.
Fought for insurance coverage for autism; camped out in Senate chamber in 2019/10 with another in an unsuccessful attempt to get legislation passed for it.