In Memory Lewis McCall
In Memory Lewis Gene McCall
Lewis Gene “Sally” McCall was born on January 4, 1933, at Thomas, Oklahoma to Roy and Anna Marie McCall. He quietly passed away on Friday morning, February 23, 2024, at Oklahoma Veterans Center in Clinton at the age of 91. He was honored there with a veteran’s send-off. The American flag was draped over his body with taps being played as veterans saluted him and employees’ hand over their hearts. Lewis was in the Army branch of the military. He was very proud to be a veteran.
Lewis Gene was raised in Thomas and known as “Sally”. He graduated High School in 1951 and continued being close to many of his classmates. He was known for his athletic ability. Many people have commented, he could run as fast backwards and sideways as he could forwards. He earned the nickname “Crazy Legs McCall”. Lewis played the very first football game on the current Terrier Field. He intercepted a pass and scored the very first touchdown there in 1949. Sally played on Thomas’s first State Championship team beating Alex 34-0 in 1947. In 1950, Thomas won their second Championship playing at Owen Field. The Terriers beat the Deaf & Mute School of Sulfur 21-14. He scored 2 touchdowns and made 2 extra points.
Lewis Gene won the first State Championship Pole Vault in 1951, earning him the title of All-State Track. He cleared 12 feet on a steel pole to land in a sawdust pit.
He was honored in September to be the Co-Grand Marshal at the Thomas Homecoming Parade. He loved his town and school. Sally was a true Thomas Terrier and proud of it.
Lewis Gene McCall entered the Korean War, March of 1953 to March of 1955. He was stationed in Germany during that time.
When arriving back home, he started dating Galeela Wilson and they were married September 9th, 1955. From this union came three children, Kathryn DeJean, Troy Lee, and Timothy Wilson.
Lewis Gene started attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University on a track scholarship in 1955. He medaled in many colleges meets. After receiving his education degree, his first year of teaching was in Minneola, Kansas from (1959-1960). Moving back to Oklahoma, he became a Canute Trojan for 10 years (1960-1970). At Canute, he was a principal, teacher, and a coach. His coaching years produced many successful boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. He and his family loved being Canute Trojans with a lot of good friends and memories. During his time at Canute, Lewis Gene earned his Master in Education at SWOSU.
August 1970, the family moved to Watonga where Galeela and him both taught school. Lewis coached several undefeated football Peewee teams. He also coached basketball and track. There were many Conference-Championships in all the sports throughout those years. He coached High School football under Woody Roof during the 1977, 1978 State Championships Football Teams. His son, Tim played on the 1977 team. Lewis Gene, sometimes called “Mac”, was also proud to be a Watonga Eagle. Coach McCall was inducted into the Watonga Hall of Fame in 2010. After retirement in 1995, Lewis kept busy with various school activities and substituting. He would volunteer yearly to run the pole vault events at Watonga Track meets.
Lewis was an active member in the Watonga First United Methodist Church and a daily bible reader. Over the years he enjoyed singing in the choir, helping with youth groups, VBS, and the traditional pancake supper.
He enjoyed visiting daily with his coffee shop friends. He enjoyed visiting with his longtime friend, Larry Estep on the front porch during the time they lived in Watonga. Later, Bret Parker carried on the tradition and became his Wheel of Fortune partner. He loved to walk, take trips to Lake Tenkiller, snow skiing with family and friends, and attending sporting events for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved and adored his family.
Lewis Gene McCall was preceded in death by his parents, wife Galeela McCall, sisters Sissy Fry and Norma Heusel. He is survived by a daughter, Kathy Allen, and husband Louis Ray of Greenfield, OK, Two sons, Troy McCall and wife Melinda of Amarillo, TX, Tim McCall, and wife Suzanne of Edmond, OK, and sister Margaret Fruit and husband Darrel of Mustang, OK.
Eight grandchildren: Rusty Allen and wife Tessa of Tuttle, OK, Dusty McCall Allen and wife Mandi of Ft. Worth, TX, Brandy DeJean Allner and husband Mitch of Jenks, OK, Kyle McCall of Amarillo, TX, Kaylee LaGene Crawford and husband Zach of Amarillo, TX, McKenzy Heath and husband Lane of Canton, OK, Sarah McCall of Edmond, OK, and Wilson McCall of Edmond, OK
Ten great grandchildren: Levi McCall Allen, Jonan Sparks, Blair Allner, Tate Allen, Ryne Allner, Sophie Sparks, Reid Allen, Lincoln Sparks, Cale McRay Allner, and Cade Heath.
The family will hold a visitation for family and friends at Wilkinson Mortuary from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Watonga with Pastor Dianna Matli officiating. A family burial will follow at the Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas, OK. Wilkinson Mortuary of Watonga in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Watonga, OK
