Obituary of Mark Alan McCall

Mark Alan McCall (radio name Mark St. John) was born on September 3, 1969, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Sharon Link McCall and George Robert “Bob” McCall III. He passed away suddenly of unknown causes on June 7, 2021, at the age of 51 in his home in Madison, Tennessee, located in the Nashville Metro area where he had lived for the past 21 years. Mark was raised in Gridley, California, and graduated from Gridley High School in 1988. He loved all sports and was very competitive and a strong team player. He enjoyed being on the Gridley swim team during his youth as well as pitching for the little league all-stars. He also played basketball and football in high school. In later years, he was a fan of the San Francisco Giants baseball team and the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans football teams. Mark loved music from an early age, which led to a successful radio career. During his junior year in high school, Mark started in radio at KRFD-FM (K100) in Marysville, California, working part-time on weekends as an on-air personality, and later that year moved into the full-time night slot while also serving as assistant program director and music director. By 1989, he was the on-air afternoon drive personality and program director at KCHH-FM (95.5) in Paradise, California. In 1992, he went to work briefly for Rotations Entertainment in Los Angeles, California. He worked directly for 35 record companies independently promoting new music at radio stations throughout the country. In 1993, he returned to Chico as the on-air afternoon drive personality at KHSL-FM (103.5), and in 1997 moved to KALF-FM (95.7). He also had a mobile DJ business and provided his talent at many local venues, including the Crazy Horse Saloon, Scotty’s Boat Landing, and Holiday Inn Molly Gunn’s, as well as wedding receptions, school dances, and private parties. His big break in radio occurred in 2000, when he was offered an on-air afternoon drive position in large market radio as a sidekick and producer for his stepfather Wayne Scott (aka CC McCartney) at Nashville’s WKDF-FM (103.3) where he had the opportunity to meet and interview many country artists. Mark was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he formed lifelong friendships. He will be fondly remembered by many for his love of music and sports and his genuine care and concern for people. He was a kind-hearted, sincere, loyal, and true friend. Despite his declining health in recent years, Mark remained very spiritual and positive and found joy in the love and support from family and friends. He was especially a proud big brother and uncle to his four nieces and five nephews. He was also very compassionate and always encouraged others who were struggling to “fight the good fight or at least keep trying, and to keep the faith.” Although he will be greatly missed, we find comfort in knowing that he has merely changed addresses to a Heavenly home where he is rejoicing with loved ones who passed on before him and that we will all be reunited again one day. Mark was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, George Robert McCall, Jr. of Yuba City, California, and Lillian Oveline Rice McCall of Gridley, California; and his maternal grandparents, Howard William Link of Texas City, Texas, and Vera McCullough Link of Houston, Texas. He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law Matthew “Matt” Haley of Gridley, California, and childhood best friend Clay Sannar of Visalia, California. Besides his parents, he is survived by sisters Shelly McCall Mineer and husband Paul of Loomis, California; Lindsey McCall Haley of Gridley, California; Dana McCall Pettit and husband Kevin of Encinitas, California; half-sister Paige McCall Pendergrass and husband Tim of Paynes Creek, California; and many dear aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A funeral will be held on Monday, June 21, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gridley Stake Center located at 400 Spruce Street in Gridley, followed by a graveside dedication and burial at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery located at 2023 Highway 99 in Gridley. After interment a reception will follow at the church for all family and friends. Arrangements entrusted to Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel, 530-846-2138.