Tom McCall

Our beloved Tommy Joe McCall was born on August 29, 1945, to Floyd and Bessie McCall in Springfield, Missouri. He moved to Wichita, Kansas as a young boy with his family. He grew up roaming the north end with his brothers and neighborhood friends. After graduating from Wichita North High School he moved, for a short time, to California with friends on a whim. After returning to Wichita, he settled into his career in the trucking industry. He quickly became a skilled driver, proud teamster, and his entire career was accident free. He represented Consolidated Freightways for many years at the Kansas Truck Rodeo and consistently placed in the top three in the doubles category. He competed pulling double trailers because he liked the extra challenge. In 1987, he won the title and represented Kansas at the National Truck Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas. By the time he retired in 2002, he logged over 3,000,000 miles in 38 years and traveled through every contiguous state more than once. In 1979 he married the love of his life, Patty Towey. In doing so, he gained a large and loving extended family. Together they proceeded to ski, camp, boat, and fish their way through Kansas and the surrounding area. Their favorite being Table Rock Lake. In the later years, they camped with a group of great friends and his brother, John, at Cheney Lake.Tom was the original “girl dad” to Tamara (Stoney) Strange of Inman, KS, Tracy Fox (Jon Weninger) of Goddard and Gina (Preston) Stewart of Wichita. By age 12, his girls could drive a car, back a trailer, shoot a gun, and bait a hook with skill. Most weekends were spent outdoors at Jeeps Motorcycle Club, at a park taking photos, or at the lake on the boat. It was important to him that he raise strong and confident daughters. A hug from dad usually included three whispered words into his daughter’s ear, “take no shit.” Sage advice that his girls have followed all of their lives. His love extended to his 9 grandchildren. He had a special relationship with each of them and enjoyed taking them to the lake to fish and boat. Tom knew how to have a good time. He loved music and any excuse for a party. He did not know a person that he couldn’t make a friend. There was no car he did not want to race or motorcycle he didn’t want to ride. There was no fishing hole he would not find. Every animal he encountered deserved a pat. And his family was loved with his whole heart. If you ask any of his grandchildren, they will tell you he is a LEGEND and they are not wrong.He passed away peacefully at home in the early morning on December 10, 2024, with Patty by his side. He is survived by his loving wife Patty, daughters, Tracy and Gina, sons-in- law, Stoney, Jon, and Preston. Grandchildren, Dakota Strange, Caleb Fox, Seth Stewart, Blain Stewart, Quincey Fox, Ty Strange, Payton Fox, Walker Strange, and McCall Truett Weninger. Great grandchildren, Jericho, Stella, Sky, Scout, Rooney, and Sophie. His sister, Betty Glosson and brother, John McCall. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, Larry, brother Bob, and, recently, his cherished daughter, Tamara. Visitation with family will be 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with: Kansas Humane Society, 3313 North Hillside, Wichita, Kansas 67219.