Thomas Balls

Mr. Balls spent over 50 years dedicated to educating students who attended the Nashville Auto Diesel College, has died at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 90. Mr. Balls died of respiratory failure. Thomas was born in McMinnville, Tennessee on February 5, 1915, the son of U.S. and Maimi Woods Balls. He attended Hume Fogg High School in Nashville and Cumberland University where he studied Law, earning his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree. He had also earned the love of Alice Miller, whom he married in 1939. Together, they raised a daughter, Catherine. Thomas began his working career after brief service in the Navy with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and eventually landed at the Nashville Auto Diesel College where he worked for over 50 years as an administrator, president, and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Balls was responsible for the education and training of thousands of students at NADC who graduated to jobs and families of their own. His drive and competitive spirit made sports a lifelong pleasure as he enjoyed many years of photography, hiking, running, swimming, biking, tennis, and golf. His love of the outdoors led him and his wife to spend many hours each fall enjoying the Smoky Mountains and the changing colors. Thomas enjoyed excellent health for many years and was a miraculous and grateful survivor of a rare form of leukemia during the late 1980's. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Alice M. Balls. He is survived by his daughter Cathy Holcomb and husband Daniel Holcomb Newport, TN, grandson Tom Hooper and wife Angie Hooper White House, TN two great grandchildren Shelby and Jacob Hooper, a niece and many great and true friends. All will miss him very much. Visitation is from 2pm til 4pm and 6pm til 8pm Saturday, November 12, at Hendersonville Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 3pm Sunday, November 13, at Hendersonville Funeral Home Chapel with Tod Elliott officiating. Family and Friends will serve as pallbearers. Interment will be in Hendersonville Memory Gardens Monday, November 14, at 10am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to the American Cancer Society 800 227-2345.