Deanna Dickinson McCall

 

 

David Russell McCall

(June 25, 1986 - August 31, 2013)

 

 

 

David Russell McCall was born June 25th, 1986 in Elko, NV. Rusty, as he was known, grew up on the Elko County family ranch, attending a one room school 25 miles away in Currie until 8th grade. The ranch had no power or phone service. In order to attend high school 65 miles away, he boarded in Wells, NV, with family members and the Louise Lear family.

 

He loved ranch life, riding, working cattle, hunting, and trapping. Rusty loved animals, from cats to chickens, and heifers to horses. He learned old cowboy poems and stories on the ranch, many from his granddad. Rusty was the youngest poet to perform at the Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and went on to perform throughout the West. The cowboy poetry and music community became a second family to him. He was a member of 4-H and FFA. He participated in junior rodeos and on the Wells High School rodeo team, riding in the bareback bronc event. Rusty attended CSI, studying water resource management.

 

Rusty was diagnosed with a rare disease at age 20, known as NF2. He underwent brain tumor surgeries, chemo and radiation. The disease resulted in deafness, gradually causing many disabilities. Regardless of this, he still kept up a miraculous spirit and sense of humor. He enjoyed touring the ranch to see the cattle and became an avid collector of guns and hunting paraphernalia. He spent many hours conversing with friends and family via computer, and treasured the folks who took the time to communicate with him.

 

He lost his battle on Aug 31, 2013 at home on the ranch, surrounded by family, as was his wish.

Rusty leaves his parents, Deanna Dickinson and David Kendall McCall, paternal grandfather, William Lyndell McCall, sisters Terrill Knight (Jeremy), Katherine Owen (Greg), many aunts and uncles, his beloved nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.