Splash Contributor

For Howard Ball, one thing just seems to lead to another. His life has been full of exciting ventures, and at 75, he is happy to embark on a new and profoundly personal undertaking.

After working in many fields and owning many businesses, Ball enters retirement with an old hobby and brand new adventure ahead of him - Native American flute making.

Ball's interest in Native American culture goes back to his grandfather. He was a Methodist pastor who moved every two years to minister among native tribes. 

"He thought he could do the most good there," Ball said. 

When Ball's father left home at 14, he eventually landed in Spokane by way of Chicago and a job on the Great Northern Railroad. After 20 years on the railroad, Ball's father - also named Howard - decided to try something new. He bought a funeral home. It was 1939, and it was the cheapest business he could buy. Ball & Dodd Funeral Home was born. John Bruce Dodd became his partner and major funder.

John Bruce Dodd happened to be the husband of Sonora Smart Dodd - famous for founding Father's Day. Mrs. Dodd was also the younger Howard Ball's nanny. 

"Mrs. Dodd was like a mother to me because she was always there," Ball said. 

Ball's father remained interested in Native American culture, which led to Ball & Dodd receiving a contract to relocate nearly 1,400 Native American graves. With the work came an education in local burial customs, rituals and what daily life was like for Native Americans living along the Columbia River.

Ball's father also bought one of the first color Kodak cameras and took pictures of the entire relocation process. PBS produced a film about the relocation project, "Echoes of Yesterday," that used many of the photos.

"This is where I got a lot of Native interest," Ball said.

Along with the many stories he heard from his father, Ball acknowledges an almost unexplainable pull toward Native culture. 

"It doesn't matter if you're Native or not, it depends on whether you have the Native in your heart," he said. 

Ball also has interest in many other cultures. After a run-in with some shady characters in downtown Spokane during high school, Ball decided he had to learn to defend himself, leading to taking up jiu jitsu and other martial arts. 

"I was fascinated by other people," he said. "I love learning about other cultures." 

Ball spent 20 years teaching jiu jitsu - even owning his own studio. But much of his professional life was spent working for office supply companies selling goods to area businesses - "a good deal for me because I love to talk," he said. 

"Howard makes friends wherever he goes," agreed Ellen Fosseen, a longtime friend. "His personality is so big, but he's one of the most humble and inspiring people I will ever know."

Being a salesman, he was on the road quite often, making family time difficult. Through it all, Ball made a deal with his wife, Phyllis, that he would spend good, quality time with his two children, John and Debbie, when he was home.

John's fondest memories of his father typically revolve around activities. 

"He was very into doing stuff with his kids," John said. "We always had motorcycles or were skiing and camping. We were always out doing something fun."

Ball owned what is now known as Spokane Pool & Spa Company for 30 years and is in the process of selling it to become "mostly retired" and focus on his flute-making and other hobbies.

Ball has been dancing at pow wows for over 20 years, and his interest in Native American flutes goes back just as far. It started with a visit to a small shop on Spokane's South Hill with Native American flutes. He picked it up and instantly "took to it." Ball bought a flute and figured out how they were made. He has been crafting them for about 25 years now.

He prefers to craft flutes in a traditional style - measuring the length of a person's arm and using fingering spacing to figure out where the holes should be. It's a customized process.

Now, Ball makes custom and non-custom flutes from bamboo, cedar and other woods. He is working on setting up a business called Suncrow Flutes to sell his goods through. He hopes to have them available online and at stores around the area.

According to Ball, the flute is "the oldest instrument known to man." He loves to tell of the Native importance of the flute as well.

"The story goes that the young man would have a flute and court a woman with that flute," he said. "He played the flute for her parents. If they liked the music, their daughter could date him."

While he's excited to get his business off the ground, for Ball, native flutes are first and foremost a personal passion. He likes to go into the woods and play the flute - attracting wildlife during his concerts. 

For Fosseen, these impromptu flute sessions used to annoy her. 

"I like to really push it and get my exercise when we hike together," she said. "He'll just stop and pull out his flute. It used to drive me nuts, but now I just enjoy the moments. Stop and enjoy nature - it's the greatest gift he's given me."

Of course, it doesn't hurt that the flautist happens to be incredibly passionate about his craft. 

"Flute music is so strong in my character," Ball said. "I truly believe that flute music comes through your heart. It's like a prayer. I try to teach people that it's like a prayer coming out of them."

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