Louis R. 'Randy' Ball

7/1/1939 — 7/6/2025

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Louis R. “Randy” Ball born July 1, 1939, to Betty Jane Cummings and Louis Henry Ball, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Royal Plaza in Lewiston. He was 86. Randy was the eldest child of three. His siblings are Diane Leonard and Gary Ball.

Randy grew up in the Pierce area and also spent many summers with Grandpap Thomas Ball on Mica Mountain while living in Pierce. He and his family lived at Cardiff Mill site. He spent many days fishing, catching his limit.

Randy moved with family to many towns including Kamiah, Kooskia and Lewiston. He always found a job. He attended high school in Lewiston and then moved to Springdale, Wash., and graduated with an offer for a football scholarship, but turned it down as he only wanted to return to Pierce to work, as he did, starting with driving lowboy trucks for his uncle Bill Cummings. His wood career soon followed, performing many jobs in the woods for various local contractors, including Woods Boss for Dick Medley, eventually getting a contract of his own from Potlatch Corp., offered to him by Bill Waide at the Headquarters office, building logging roads and thus started buying his own equipment. It was and still is easy to recognize a road built by Randy as the road was built to specifications and perfection of his own. He really liked and appreciated working for Contract Supervisor Tia Pomponio.

Randy served in the military, with an honorable discharge March 1, 1964, as a Sargent-E5.

Randy continued working for Potlatch Corp., then Tom Ray and finally for David Patterson, retiring at age 83. Last two jobs his D-8 Cat still followed him.

Randy married Linda Wunderlich on Sept. 1, 1961. To that marriage two daughters were born: Danette and Randy Lynn. The marriage ended in divorce after 28 years.

In 1993, Randy married Diana Snyder. To this marriage she brought two children: Sean and Niki Peltier. Throughout Randy and Diana’s marriage, they spent weekends going to auctions, hunting, fishing and making firewood.

 Randy especially enjoyed hunting wild turkeys with grandson Jared Ball.

Throughout Randy’s life he made many long-lasting friends. He was loved and respected for his work ethics, loyalty and generosity.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, brother-in-law Boyd Leonard and many close friends.

Randy was described by Becky Brotnov as an icon of the hill and a hard worker and a hard player. “Amen.”

He is survived by his wife Diana; his daughters: Danette Hyde (Tony), Randy Lynn, Sean Peltier (Kareen) and Niki Peltier; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also his sister Diane Leonard and brother Gary Ball (Arlene).

When asked what he wanted to be remembered by, he replied: “I lived, I died and I loved my wife.”

A memorial for Randy will be held at noon Saturday, Aug. 9, at David and Sheila Patterson’s residence, 2682 Larson Road, Weippe. David and Sheila are hosting the memorial. Please bring a dish to share and a beverage of your choice. Also your memories of Randy.

As per Randy’s wishes, his ashes will be buried at Cook Cemetery near Orofino at the top of Upper Fords Creek Road. Behind his great-granddad, David Ball.

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