Obituary for Larry McCall
John Larry McCall, 73, of Brevard, went to his heavenly home on January 6, 2022, at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC.
He was born January 19, 1948, in Brevard to the late Carlos John McCall and Doris Sitton McCall Powell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Samuel “Sammy” McCall who died at birth.
Larry grew up in the Eastatoe Community of Transylvania County and was a 1967 graduate of Rosman High School. After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and fought in the Vietnam War. He was wounded in action in the Republic of Vietnam on February 1st, 1969, for which he received the Purple Heart. He was also awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroism in ground combat and two Army Commendation Medals for Valor for heroism and outstanding achievement in connection with military operations against a hostile force. The story of his service is detailed in the book Welcome Home, Brother: Memoirs of Vietnam Veterans by Michel Robertson.
Upon his return to the states, he married his high school sweetheart Elaine Hall and they recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. Larry worked at Olin Corporation for 18 years, Dupont, the City of Brevard, and the United States Postal Service. He retired as a carrier for the Brevard Post Office in 2008 after 22 years of service.
Larry was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and loved to travel with his family who traveled extensively to locations such as Europe, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean. His favorite destination was Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. In high school, he played football and basketball and was the captain of the football team. He continued to be an avid sports enthusiast his whole life being a loyal Rosman Tiger, Clemson Tiger, and Atlanta Braves fan. He was a dedicated supporter of his children and grandchildren in their sports activities and was often on the sidelines cheering them on. He lived most of his adult life in the Cathey’s Creek Community of the county and was a longtime church member at Cathey’s Creek Baptist Church where he was a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Trustee.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Hall McCall; daughter, Andrea McCall Odom; son, Jonathan McCall; grandchildren, Jenna and Caden Odom; step-father, Johnny Stewart Powell; brother, Joe McCall and wife Carolyn; sister, Barbara McCall Aiken and husband Danny; brother, Ray McCall and wife Janie; sister, Cindy Powell Thomas and husband Larry; sister-in-law, Judy Hall Thomas and husband Dan; brother-in-law, Jim Hall; sister-in-law, Donna Hall Cronic and husband Glen and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory on January 15th, 2022, at 2 p.m. with interment to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas at 21 E. Main St. Brevard, NC 28712 or theveteransmuseum.org.
Online condolences may be left at www.moody-connollyfuneralhome.com and Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
He was born January 19, 1948, in Brevard to the late Carlos John McCall and Doris Sitton McCall Powell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Samuel “Sammy” McCall who died at birth.
Larry grew up in the Eastatoe Community of Transylvania County and was a 1967 graduate of Rosman High School. After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and fought in the Vietnam War. He was wounded in action in the Republic of Vietnam on February 1st, 1969, for which he received the Purple Heart. He was also awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroism in ground combat and two Army Commendation Medals for Valor for heroism and outstanding achievement in connection with military operations against a hostile force. The story of his service is detailed in the book Welcome Home, Brother: Memoirs of Vietnam Veterans by Michel Robertson.
Upon his return to the states, he married his high school sweetheart Elaine Hall and they recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. Larry worked at Olin Corporation for 18 years, Dupont, the City of Brevard, and the United States Postal Service. He retired as a carrier for the Brevard Post Office in 2008 after 22 years of service.
Larry was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and loved to travel with his family who traveled extensively to locations such as Europe, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean. His favorite destination was Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. In high school, he played football and basketball and was the captain of the football team. He continued to be an avid sports enthusiast his whole life being a loyal Rosman Tiger, Clemson Tiger, and Atlanta Braves fan. He was a dedicated supporter of his children and grandchildren in their sports activities and was often on the sidelines cheering them on. He lived most of his adult life in the Cathey’s Creek Community of the county and was a longtime church member at Cathey’s Creek Baptist Church where he was a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Trustee.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Hall McCall; daughter, Andrea McCall Odom; son, Jonathan McCall; grandchildren, Jenna and Caden Odom; step-father, Johnny Stewart Powell; brother, Joe McCall and wife Carolyn; sister, Barbara McCall Aiken and husband Danny; brother, Ray McCall and wife Janie; sister, Cindy Powell Thomas and husband Larry; sister-in-law, Judy Hall Thomas and husband Dan; brother-in-law, Jim Hall; sister-in-law, Donna Hall Cronic and husband Glen and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory on January 15th, 2022, at 2 p.m. with interment to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas at 21 E. Main St. Brevard, NC 28712 or theveteransmuseum.org.
Online condolences may be left at www.moody-connollyfuneralhome.com and Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.