R.L. Call, former president and CEO of Sav-on Drugs, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2013 in Huntington Beach, California at his home surrounded by family.
He was born the first child of Ellen Jane Nield and Edgar Allan Call, on May 9, 1925 and was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Leona, his children, Greg Call, (Roya) of Laguna Niguel, Jeanette Palmer, (Dennis) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Leanne King (Frank) of Show Low, Arizona, and Gary Call, (Susan) of Newport Beach, California, a brother Joel Call, and sister Peggy Haderlie, 18 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren with 4 more great grandchildren to arrive in the near future.
Mr. Call grew up in Afton, Wyoming, where he received primary and secondary school education and learned to excel in football, boxing, and skiing. While waiting to be of sufficient age to enlist in the Navy, he studied at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II and was assigned as a corpsman with specific assignment to the Seabees. After very noble service in the battle for Okinawa he was honorably discharged in August 1945 following the surrender of Japan.
He met Leona Ruby Rice during an assignment at the Bremerton Naval Hospital and they were married in Port Orchard, Washington on July 12, 1946. They were married one day short of 67 years. Following his marriage R.L. worked in Afton for 2 years and then relocated to Southern California where he began a 34 year career that would take him from clerk to President of Sav-on Drugs and where he would oversee the company's growth from 3 stores with 130 employees to over 300 stores with nearly 35,000 employees.
He became well known for his tireless work ethic, his indefatigable optimism, and his kindness and compassion to all in which he was associated. Mr. Call was an avid fly fisherman, a licensed pilot, an expert sailor, a certified scuba diver and a skilled woodworker but of all titles he held he was most proud of the titles husband, father and grandfather.
Mr. Call was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities and callings. He was sealed to his wife and children in the Los Angeles temple.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 18, 2013 at the LDS chapel at 5402 Heil Ave., Huntington Beach, California at 12 noon. Condolences can be sent to Pacific View Mortuary located at 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, California.
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