Fred S. Ball, the man who seemed to be in the middle of everything in Salt Lake City for decades, died Monday night, one month shy of his 83rd birthday.
A longtime community leader, Ball was a whirlwind of energy and work, and nothing seemed to stop him. He survived some 16 years after first being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which made him such a marvel that doctors once called him to learn how he did it.
He continued to work until he was 78 years old. He was a Giant of the City — and was officially honored as such. Not many have been more deserving of the title.
He was Salt Lake’s unofficial Man About Town for four decades. He is perhaps best known as the president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce — for 25 years — and host of a long-running radio show. But he also played a role in bringing to Utah the Jazz, the Delta hub and the Winter Olympics, and helped the Sundance Film Festival in its fledgling days.
How omnipresent was Ball? He was at center court for the opening tipoff of the very first NBA game played in Utah.
He was involved in LDS Church affairs, politics and banking and had a hand in a wide array of activities. He served on more than 40 corporate and community boards and was active in the arts, museums, retail stores, colleges, media, the Red Cross and on and on it went.
“Fred Ball left a legacy of influence at the Salt Lake Chamber and throughout the state’s business community that has been felt for more than 30 years and continues to this day," said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. "His tireless efforts as a promoter of Utah business sustained and enhanced the impact of our state on a local, regional and national level.
“His enduring career defined him though, not only as a stalwart example of business leadership, but also as a man who cared deeply for the well-being and prosperity of his community and its members."
Ball, who was born Sept. 29, 1932, and grew up in his birth town of Ogden, came from the humblest of circumstances. He lived in the back of a small grocery store for the first 14 years of his life, the son of a railroad employee. He went on to rub shoulders with U.S. presidents, IOC presidents, heads of state, TV stars, movie stars and billionaires. He once was even sent on a special errand abroad for the White House.
On the home front, Ball was married for 63 years to the former Joyce Worsencroft. They raised four daughters.
Sitting in his living room a couple of years ago, Ball talked extensively about his life and concluded, “I’ve been very blessed.” To underscore the point, he pointed to a book that was lying on the coffee table — a book he wrote for children. It’s title: “I’m not Lucky; I’m Blessed — Memories from the Life of Fred S. Ball.”