James McCall
August 05, 1950 - September 26, 2018
Obituary
James (Jim) J. McCall, 68, died tragically in a car accident in Billings on September 26, 2018. Jim was born on August 5, 1950 in Glendive, MT, the son of Francis (Mac) and Maxine McCall. He attended Holy Rosary School, Billings Central High School and graduated from Billings West in 1969. Following high school Jim attended automotive school and went to work for Ralph Hanser. In 1973 he married Nancy Weller, and together they had three children, Greg McCall, Brad McCall and Carolee McCall Smith. Starting in 1970 Jim worked at Frontier Chevrolet for 5 years before entering the pool business at Watco Pools and Fox Pools in CA, then finally opening his own successful business, McCall Pools in 1982. In 1997 Jim sold McCall Pools and within a few years formed a new company, McCall Development, with his three children (partially as a ploy to get them to move home). As a team, they tried some land and commercial development before finding their vocation in building community in the neighborhoods Josephine Crossing and now Annafeld. On October 16, 2002, Jim married Connie Zabrocki and was able to pull back from the daily functions of the business, allowing them many happy years together wintering in Lake Havasu City and Scottsdale, AZ. Their summers were spent in Billings babysitting and playing with grandkids almost daily. Jim had a passion for cars and the mechanical ability to build anything. Starting with building his own bicycles, he shocked his Dad by tearing apart and repairing the family car as a kid. He built many cars over the years including '55 Chevys, and 30's Fords, showcasing them in his shop and 1950's diner where he lived, and at car shows where he loved to connect with his many car buddies. Several times each summer Jim and Connie hosted “Friday Nights at the Shop” to have a chance to get together with their favorite car friends, who all filled the parking lot with their hot rods, lifted their hoods, ate a burger and talked cars. Daily, Jim looked forward to coffee with his best friend Dave and other buddies, and he absolutely loved watching football with the guys (you know who you are). Most important in Jim's life was his family whom he loved dearly. He cherished his role as grandfather and provided great memories, earning the nickname Grandpa Ice Cream (Wilcoxson's, of course). Grandpa's shop will never seem the same and the grandchildren will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife Connie; his sons Greg (Erin) McCall, Brad (Kelsey) McCall; his daughter Carolee (Chris) Smith; Connie's daughters Julie (Joe) Simanton and Suzanne (Dominic) Wong; his grandchildren Abby, Luke, Ben & Sam (Greg's); grandchildren Seamus, Milo & Lachlan (Brad's); grandchildren Tristan, Aurora, and expected grandson (Carolee's); grandchild Holly Wong (Suzanne's). Also surviving are 5 sisters, Marcia (Brian) Williams, Joan Koenigs, Jean McCall, Betty (Dick) Wojcik, Kathy McCall (Carol Couch). He is also survived by his best buddy Dave Wilson, and other special children who also called him Grandpa Jim including Emily Thelen (Tyler) and her children Taylor, Hailey, Claire & Shelby; Marc (Kim) Copps and their children Genesis & Preston and many nieces and nephews including Laura Ketterling and her children Karissa, Jordan & Mariah. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. Services honoring Jim will be held at St. Pius X Church at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. Reception will follow at our shop at 1536 Mullowney Lane, Suite 300 for one last car party, which Jim had always requested. A family burial across the street at Holy Cross Cemetery is planned at a later date. Weather permitting, Jim would love to see your cars one last time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Homes for Hope, a Christ centered microfinance organization, which empowers entrepreneurs all over the world to pull themselves out of poverty, c/o McCall Homes at 1536 Mullowney Lane, Suite 100, Billings, MT 59101. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories or condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com
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Memories
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Bev L. Collins
Other •
Dear Families of a beloved husband, father, brother, friend, grandfather, and all who knew him. We send our heart felt sympathies, and may God wrap His loving arms around each and everyone of you,and giving you the comfort, love, peace and strength you need today and in the days ahead. I(Bev (Roberts) Collins knew Jim and his family when they lived on the 2nd block of Burlington Ave. in Billings.Since it was a long time ago, I did not know or remember about his building cars and his enthusiastic nature to do with them, but after reading his legacy, it was very impressive. WE lived three houses down from Jim and family, and they became like family to us. After Jim lost his mother, and father he took on our mom Mary (Durland) Roberts like a 2nd mother, and being that my brother Scott and Jim were close in age, they did a lot of things together, and I did more with his sisters. The last time I saw and talked with Jim was at my close cousin Bruce Ryniker's memorial service in Billings. My cousin and Jim loved their cars, and the building of them, and Bruce was another, like Jim where Cars were more important then school at the time, and both obviously turned out to do very well , and very successful businessmen. my cousin worked for GM as a designer, and then for Chrysler, and then on to Mattel toys and helped design the Hot Wheels etc. and his sons are a part of. Also the Trailers for movies that won him and Emmy. I know that Jim and Bruce must have had great conversations over their love of cars etc. and would have loved to be in on their conversations. Did Jim ever mention about the mural that Scott painted at West High? Speaking of that, my cousin as well as myself painted one at Senior High. His was a few years earlier. Bruce's mural had to do with Cars, and it is over the Gymnasium. mine was on the History of art. I just through this in as I thought it might be of interest. I noticed that in lieu of flowers that memorials can be sent to Homes of Hope, I would like to do that, and will send something soon, and do let me know when you receive it. This memorial is so important and thank you for doing this. for those that would like to contact me personally my e-mail is jbcoll@yahoo.com also I will have an address for you when I send the memorial. We now live in Miles City and my husband Jerry is a United Methodist minster, and have been in the ministry for 34 years. He will be retiring as a full time minister in July, and we will be moving to Billings. I have an older daughter Lani Who lives in Billings and her stepfather is Jerry, and my youngest daughter Melissa was born to Jerry and myself Oct. 12, 1981. She was living in Champaign IL. and she moved there to go to school in 2000. As of last July she has been living with us and her daughter Ella who is now 2 1/2 and soon to have another in December. Melissa's finance' lives here to. They will move to Billings when we do. Lani worked for a Credit union for 12 years as a top teller, and is now on disability and lives in an apartment. Would have loved having her own home. May the message you hear on the 3rd be of comfort and bring you strength, as well as Peace. Peace I give to you and Peace I leave with you. We will miss him so very much, and know that Jim is now looking down and saying thank you for all you have done for him and loving him, and that he is now at Peace. I did attend several of the car shows where Jim showed his pride and joys, and it was fun talking to him about each one. He sure knew his stuff that is for sure. would have loved more time getting to know Jim but with him being out of the area as well as me it was hard to do. Hopefully his sisters will contact me, and we can get re-aquainted as it has been many years since we last saw or talked with one another. God Bless each and everyone of you and may you Feel His Presence. Have had a candle lit and it reminds me of God's promise, for all that believe will live for eternity. Love an friendship Bev(Roberts)Collins and families.
TP
Tony Peralta
Other •
So Sad... I first talked to Jim back in 1991. we talked about a Z-28 we both drove in high school. We had great "hot rod" memories. I remember Jim asking me to hold my corded phone in the garage so he could hear how the engine sounds. We both laughed over that conversation many times. I sent photos and information via US mail. I sold him the Z-28 I owned for 23 years. We became long distance friends from then on. You see, I lived in western New York. We would talk on the phone over the years. We would talk about cars but Jim would always talk about the importance of family. We had a lot of similarities. Finally a few years ago Jim invited my wife and I out to finally meet in person. He said "hey you know, I have owned the Z for about as long as you did, it's time we meet" What a great moment I will never forget that day. Connie and Jim were wonderful hosts. They showed us beautiful Montana and we enjoyed every moment. We were introduced to the family and everyone was wonderful. We would sit by the pool and he would laugh and watch the grandchildren enjoying themselves. His family was truly his pride. Jim had an old project, a 55 Panel truck, he told me to finish it up. Jim said I needed a project, since the last one I had was the Z-28. We had many phone conversations, discussing the progress and frustrations of of working on it. I'm now close to finishing the Panel. I had been dreaming about bringing it back to Montana and cruising with Jim. That Panel and I, will always tell the stories of Montana and the McCall legacy. We will truly miss our dear friend. Love, Tony & Camille Peralta
PH
Paul Hulteng
Other •
I am so sorry for your loss. My family has known Jum since we moved to Billings in the early sixties. We lived down on Miles Avenue when his family was on Glen Drive. Two of my brothers Lee and Steve worked for Jim in his pool business. This last summer my grandson saw him drive by in his Lamborghini and went nuts so I called Jim and arranged a ride. He was more than happy to ablige. My grandson and his friend had the biggest smiles on their faces. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
CM
Christie Nauman Moore
Other •
I grew up next door to Jim on Glen Drive. (my early teen years) He is a few years older than me...I had "THE BIGGEST" crush on Jim while they lived there. I would help him wash his car, which is something that I think was a ritual for him. He was all about his beautiful vehicles! We ran into each other over the next 40 years. He always made a point to stop and say hi. So very sorry for the loss to his family.
JS
Jeff Scherr
Other •
I am so sorry for your loss. I have enjoyed working with your father for all of these years. It was always fun to sit and visit when time allowed, he always gave a moment. It was fun working in all of his "houses".