Michael McCall

Michael John McCall was born in Ashtabula, Ohio on October 22, 1944, to Josephine and Robert McCall. His family moved to California in the '50's, and his family soon bought the house in Mira Loma that ended up being his home almost all of his adult life. After his father died in 1956 his family moved to Lennox, but kept the Mira Loma house. He attended Lennox High School and graduated in 1962. He excelled in theatre, receiving a best acting award for his starring performance in the play "The Miser" in his senior year. Mike then worked in the Los Angeles area as a machinist and other jobs before moving back to Mira Loma to continue his education. He obtained an Associate of Arts degree at RCC in 1969, was a substitute teacher from 1969-1970, and was part of a geodetic survey crew for Riverside County in 1970-1971. Mike then obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1973, and a Master of Educational Administration in 1974, both at UCR. He spent most of his professional career in the Riverside County Planning Department, joining in 1974 and becoming a Principal Planner in 1987, where he was responsible for environmental, energy, and other issues. Mike retired from the Planning Department in 1999, and then served as a substitute teacher in the Corona/Norco school district for a few years before retiring completely. Mike donated money to relatives for education and to scholarships for students at Corona or Norco high schools. Mike passed away on November 30, 2023, following a long illness.Mike enjoyed entertaining his many friends, including those in the Inland Empire gay and lesbian community, at his longtime home "Villa Mira Loma", which he continuously expanded, adding a recreation room, pool, spa, and additional rooms. He lived there with Miles Blum in the '70's and with Bill Carter from 1977-1982. Mike and Bill remained friends until the end. Mike took up flying after retirement, obtaining a pilot's license and jointly owned small airplane with Bill for a while. Mike became very active in Alcoholics Anonymous in the early 2000's, for which he helped organize or lead activities and gatherings, including the annual "Live and Let Live" camping trip which continues to this day. His favorite saying was "I've never had it so good".Mike has outlived many of his family and friends, but is survived by his nephews Richard and Scott Morrell, his niece Michelle Ice, his good friend Bill Carter, and a number of cousins and great nieces and nephews. He has enriched the lives of many of those who knew him, and will be missed. A memorial will be held at Pierce Bros. Crestlawn Mortuary at 3PM on Friday, January 5.