Ball, Dr. Dexter Taber, a Santa Ana native and longtime Santa Ana physician and surgeon, died April 9 at age 88.

A Santa Ana High School graduate (class of '41), Dr. Ball earned his medical degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and from the University of California San Francisco Medical School.

After serving as a United States Army surgeon with the 8209th MASH Unit during the opening years of the Korean conflict, he was evacuated from Hungnam, North Korea, ahead of the Chinese invasion.

Following in the medical footsteps of his physician father and

grandfather, Dr. Ball practiced medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange for more than 40 years. He served as president of the Orange County Medical Association, was a lifetime member of the Santa Ana Rotary Club and a member of the Federation of Fly Fishing.

Along with his wife of 65 years, Joan, Dr. Ball enjoyed spending the summer and fall months at Henry's Lake, Idaho, 15 miles from West Yellowstone, Montana, where he continued to fly cast daily throughout the region.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Dexter Jr. (Cindy) of Twin Falls, Idaho, Brad (Sue) of San Marino and Gary of Santa Ana; brothers, Robert (Vinka) and Donald (Patricia); four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Joseph's Hospital - Robotic.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 17th, 12 noon at Waverly Chapel - Fairhaven in Santa Ana.