Robert C. "Bob" McCall

Robert Carroll “Bob” McCall, 87, died peacefully in his home on Thursday, August 14, 2025, surrounded by family, after a brief battle with cancer. He was a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather “Poppy,” and friend. He especially loved seeing his grandkids flourish and was known to show up to all events which involved his grandkids, even if it meant going to three different gyms/fields in one day, so he could be present for all their games.

Bob is survived by his wife Brenda Bailey Fontenot McCall of Lake Charles, LA, his four children Craig McCall (Damaris Delgado Vega) of Humacao, Puerto Rico; Sarah Canup, Chris McCall (Julie) and Erin Alley (Kevin) all of Lake Charles, LA; and by his grandchildren, Gabriela McCall Delgado, Drew Alley, Cameron Canup, Katie McCall, Blake Alley, Will Canup, Thomas Alley, Emma McCall and Luke Alley.

Bob is also survived by his sister, Kathy McCall Screen (late husband Pat Screen), of Baton Rouge, LA; and by his brother Bill McCall (Nadine) of Lake Charles, LA; brothers in law, Ronald Henley of Baton Rouge, LA, Wayne Truax (Velva) and Johnnie Truax (Jane) all of Sulphur, LA and by his sister in law, Pat Truax Rock (Larry) of Chesterfield, VA, his aunt, Jane Caldwell Williams of Virginia Beach, VA and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is also survived by his step children Renee' Fontenot Free of Slaughter, LA; Todd Fontenot (Beth) of Lake Charles, LA; and Andre' Fontenot (Marianne) of Iowa, LA; his step daughter in law Cindy Reed Fontenot of Lake Charles, LA; and by his step grandchildren Kade Reed Brashear, Cydney Free, Lauren Fontenot Bacon (Dr. Joshua Bacon), Emily Fontenot, Corey Free, Jacob Fontenot, Gavin Fontenot, Garin Fontenot and Will Fontenot, as well as his step great grandson Elijah Bacon.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife of almost 50 years, Pamela Ann Truax McCall; by his parents, Carroll Hiram and Mary Elizabeth Caldwell McCall; by his sisters, Eleanor McCall Henley and Kristy McCall Rivers (late husband Donald Rivers); by his son in law, Chris Canup, by his grandson Michael Alejandro McCall Delgado; and by his stepson Dru Fontenot.

Bob was a 1956 graduate of LaGrange High School, where he served as President of the Student Body. He continued his education at LSU and while there, joined the fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha where he met many life-long friends and served as president of the chapter. During his time at LSU, he also served as Vice President of the student body. He participated in 4-H throughout his childhood and was able to pay for his undergraduate degree with the money he earned from raising cattle in the 4-H program.

He received a BS in Agriculture from LSU in 1960 and an MBA from LSU the following year. During the summer of 1960, he was fortunate enough to travel extensively throughout Europe and when he came home, he proposed to the love of his life, Pam, whom he began dating while still in high school.

Following college, he served two years as an officer in the 1st Armored Division based at Fort Hood and eight years in the Louisiana National Guard. After active duty, he joined his father in the farm supply business until the spring of 1971 when a tornado leveled the business. That night he told his wife, Pam, that he was going to law school. They packed up the four kids, used his GI bill and moved to Baton Rouge.

He graduated with a Juris Doctorate from LSU in 1973 and soon began practicing law in Lake Charles, ultimately becoming a partner in the law firm, Baggett McCall, where he practiced personal injury law until he retired at the age of seventy-nine. He was a fierce advocate for his clients, and he loved practicing law. He was a member of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, where he served as President, the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, where he served on the Board of Governors, American Trial Lawyers Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He passed on his love of the law to his children, three of whom became lawyers and one a paralegal.

Bob served on the board of the Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo for 35 years and in 2017 he was honored as the first lifetime member of the board.

Bob lived life to the fullest. His love of travel began in the seventh grade when he went to Colorado and fell in love with the mountains. He was passionate about hiking and mountain climbing, with his last big hike taking place at the age of eighty, when he climbed to the summit of Mount Fuji in Japan with his grandchildren and son in law. He loved sailing and kayaking, was a Sea Scout, a former member of the Lake Charles Yacht Club and a member of the Power Squadron. He was an outdoorsman who loved to duck hunt and go deep sea fishing. He was an avid traveler and took his last overseas trip eight months ago to Antarctica with his law partner of many years, Roger Burgess, and their granddaughters. This trip completed a visit to every continent.

Bob was fortunate to find love for a second time with Brenda, and they married in 2013. It was a beautiful blending of families and the creating of great new memories with the Fontenot family.

Throughout his life, Bob appreciated art, and he loved supporting local artists. He also frequently bought paintings, furniture, and other things to remind him of places that he visited. He loved Mardi Gras and was a member of the Krewe of Barataria, where he served as King. When the family farm was sold, Bob bought a place in the French Quarter which he enjoyed immensely.

He was a member of St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church from the time that it was founded in 1945. Over the years, he served the church and school in many capacities, including usher, lector, Trustee and Chairman of the School Board. He attended daily mass for many years at St. Margaret and most recently at St. Martin de Porres.

Bob was a member of the Knights of St. Gregory. He was also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem where he served as a Knight Grand Cross. He was also a member of the Serra Club for 41 years and served in many capacities including as the president of the Serra Club of Lake Charles as well as the Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President of Serra International. He traveled all over the world with the Serra Club, including a trip to Rome in December of 2000 where he was personally blessed by Pope John Paul II, which was one of the highlights of his life.

The family would like to thank his friend and long-time secretary, Phyllis Wilson, who was devoted to Bob and always took care of him. We would also like to thank his care providers for their dedication and loving care (Shirley Olivier, Sonya Porter, Chania Cuney and Karla Carter), Heart of Hospice and their team, especially Missy Giles and Katie Deshotel, who were with the family at the time of his passing, and Dr. Brian Clements, Dr. Brian Kelley and his team at MD Anderson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 18, 2025 at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 2500 Enterprise Blvd., with Msgr. Harry Greig serving as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday in the Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles Chapel, 4321 Lake St. During this time, family and friends are invited to share words of rememberance starting at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Monday from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Margaret School Trust Fund or to a charity of your choice.