Michael K Ball

Michael King Ball was born July 17, 1966 to the late Walter and Ivy Decquir Ball. With a loving heart, he loved everyone. He never met a stranger. Always there to lend a hand and even a listening ear to everyone. It was never a day that went by that he did not miss a day to call just to check on someone and or simply to crack a joke to uplift someone spirits. Every negative situations he made a positive out of it, which was contagious to everyone.

At the time of his passing, Michael Ball was serving the BLET as General Chairman of the CPKC/Texas-Mexican Railway (Tex-Mex) General Committee of Adjustment and as Local Chairman of Division 244 (Laredo, Texas). He started serving as Local Chairman in August 2014 and as General Chairman in August 2015.

Michael began his railroad career in the early 1990s when he hired out with the Houston Belt and Terminal Railway Company (HB&T). After earning promotion to locomotive engineer, he joined the BLET on April 1, 1993, as a member of Division 62 (Houston, Texas). He would later transfer his BLET membership to Division 244 after he began working for the Tex-Mex.

BLET National Vice President Alan Holdcraft, who worked extensively with Brother Ball over the years, said: “Michael cared deeply about his members and he worked hard to help them in any way he could. He loved the BLET. Anyone who met Mike generally came to the same conclusion. He was the nicest, most thoughtful selfless person you may have ever met.”

Michael Ball was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Ivy Decquir Ball; left to keep the train engine running his three children whom he cherished with all of his heart Cotessa Solomon, Donovon Ball, and Mikayla Ball; his sister, Courtney Decquir; his special niece Emon Sam; memories of love with his special friend Tracy Batiste; and a host of relatives and friends. Loved by all and a stranger to none, Michael will be truly missed.