Melvin H. Ball, 85, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at home in Hurst. Memorial service: 3 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Hurst. Interment: 1:30 p.m. in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, prior to service. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please make donations to FUMC of Hurst, Music Ministry. Melvin was born on May 24, 1931, in Marion, Ind. to Roy and Julia Ball. In 1951, Melvin enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he served in the Korean War. After three years of dedicated service, he attended Purdue University and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. He then moved to Texas where he went to work for Texas Electric Service Company and retired in 1992 after a successful 34-year career. He enjoyed several hobbies including woodworking, gardening, golfing, tennis, playing guitar and organ. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he sang in the Chancel Choir for 10 years. Later in his retirement, Melvin started playing duplicate bridge and achieved Life Master. He also showed his zest for life while traveling with Gay Nell and many friends. Melvin's favorite mode of travel to see other countries was via cruise ships. His quick sense of humor was greatly enjoyed and admired by his family and friends, which also gave him as much pleasure as it did them. He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Corene Ball. Survivors: to cherish his memory, he leaves a loving wife of 17 years, Gay Nell; children, Darrell Ball and wife, Mary, Randy Harris and Connie Henson and husband, Danny; stepchildren, Teresa Heartsfield and husband, Gary and Lisa Farrell and husband, Mike; grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew and Derek Ball, Angie Lucke and Bryan Davidson; step-grandchildren, Greg and Jason Heartsfield, Lindsey Nelson, Brian, Rachel and Paul and Sarah Farrell; sisters, Susan Elder, Gerry Green and husband, Ron, and Roberta Strong; and a host of extended family and friends.