James Paul McCall

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Paul McCall of Cortez, Colorado. Paul (also known as Frog to his siblings) was born April 30, 1938, to Jack and Betty (Southerland) McCall in the Rockhouse Community near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Paul passed away quietly in his sleep in his home on November 11, 2023, at the age of 85, joining family in Heaven.

Before coming to Colorado, Paul lived at Sylvan Farm, a Digby West farm north of Berryville, Arkansas. At the age of 15, he and his parents and eight siblings moved to Colorado. In Dolores, Paul met the love of his life, Sue Phillips and they spent 66 happy years together living in Dolores and Cortez.

Paul spent his lifetime enjoying the outdoors. He loved trapping when he was young, often catching raccoons and selling pelts for pocket money. Once he trapped a skunk, which sprayed him, but he still went to school. Needless to say, he was sent home! He had a special horse named Honey who he loved to ride. One time on a downhill run, Honey lost her footing and Paul had to have many stitches and weeks to recover. He spent many happy hours on four-wheeling adventures with his kids, grandkids, and his beloved dog, Greco. He loved Greco.

Paul worked several years in logging with his dad, Jack, driving a bulldozer and skidding logs up on the Mesa above Dutton. He also worked with his father-in-law, Bob Phillips, doing auto body repair.

Paul retired from Nielsons (which later became Skanska) after 40 + years as a diesel mechanic. For many years, Paul owned a small farm East of Cortez, where he kept horses and enjoyed his role as a small-time farmer. Paul dealt with kidney failure for the last several months of his life. Even so, he never slowed down. Paul always had projects and things to get done.

Paul is survived by his wife Sue Phillips McCall, his son Jimmy and daughters Paula Clark and Renee Jhonson; six grandchildren, Shelby, Krystal, Brittney, Ashley, Chance and Chase; nine great grandchildren, Michele, Kailee, Kael, Connor, Taybree, Kazmon, Rylyn, Kylynn, Rowyn and Taytum; one great grandson, Ryot, and another on the way, Ezekiel. He is also survived by two brothers, Richard and Jess; and six sisters, Reba Sisco, Mary Weems, Sarita Meacham, Jeanne Williams, Donna Grunwald and Randi Scott.

Paul was predeceased by his parents, and his siblings Sherall Dean McCall, Larry Joe McCall and Beverly Jean McCall.

A private celebration of life with family and friends will be held at Summit Ridge Cemetery on

Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 3 p.m.