Marti Jo McCall

I start off with "My Starbucks, or yours?"...as a tribute to something Marti loved...COFFEE.  She always had a favorite Starbucks, and when she would invite you to coffee, it was always "my Starbucks, or yours?" This is just one of the many quirks I miss about my buddy, Marti.

Marti Jo McCall was born in Kansas City on November 17th, 1957.  Marti was the baby girl after her 2 older brothers, Michael and Mark.  Marti always talked about her childhood with her grandmother, Verna, her aunts, uncles, cousins, and her brothers, with fondness. She told many stories of visits with cousins, and in particular, her yearly treks to her grandmother's home for family Christmases.

She talked of growing up as a young kiddo with sledding and snowy winters, and when she did, the excitement in her eyes was always visible. Marti was a good athlete, playing basketball, volleyball, swimming, and then eventually falling in love with the game of tennis in adulthood.  She was a USTA ranked female doubles player, and traveled the US in many tournaments.  She competed for more than 20 years in various leagues. She had a heck of a serve! 

She spoke a lot about living by the lake in the Dallas area, and riding jet skis over to her mom's home for coffee, and then jet skiing back home. Her career took many directions in the area of sales, and her competitiveness, made her a strong contributor every where she landed. One of her most exciting adventures was a cruise for top sales, with lots of awards, recognition, and even a good cigar. Additionally, what many don't know, is that Marti was very involved in politics.  She worked on several campaigns throughout her life, like TX Governor Ann Richards, potential TX Governor, Wendy Davis, Hilary Clinton, Colin Allred, Joe Biden, and many, many more, including Kamala Harris, before her passing.  She went to rallies, met the candidates many times, made calls, walked door to door, and was even a Democratic delegate in Dallas County for quite a while.

Marti was always trying to look out for her brothers throughout her life.  She spoke with Mark all the time to compare notes on their favorite sports team, or when she could, she would take Mark or Brett with her to one of her favorite cabins in Broken Bow, OK.  After the death of her grandmother, and family Christmas changing, she began spending 3-4 days each December, at her favorite cabin.  She loved lighting a warm fire, and grilling, and ringing in her own Christmas, with her, a brother, or just she and her cats. Marti Jo McCall is survived by her brother, Mark McCall (Alice) of Tomball, Brett Lebo (Jana Knowles) of Ponder, Matthew McCall, nephew, of Columbus, Ohio, and her 2 cats (the boos) Peavy and Knox (now living with friends in Dallas).

I knew Marti for 25 years.  She and I shared apartments and a home with my wife, for approximately 18 of the 25 years we knew her.  My wife, Furrie Steelman, and I (Lori K Lynch) left the Dallas area in the spring of 2023, and Marti remained in Dallas, until May of 2024, when she moved to Conroe, TX, and lived just 5 minutes away from us.  We look back on that now, and realize how much the universe, and our higher power, play a part in our lives.  Having Marti so close to us allowed us to spend the hardest days of her life with her.  The last 34 days of her life were days of shock, undiagnosed issues that were too advanced to cure, and trying to find the best, most dignified way for Marti to live out those final days.  I am forever grateful for my friendship/sisterhood with Marti, and my wife and I loved her like family.  I miss you, Marti Jo.  I pray you watch over us all, and we will see you someday.