John Reed & Ferl Call

Ferl Rose Barker Call and John Reed Call, cherished parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and beloved companions to one another for 68 years, each peacefully graduated from life last week. Ferl passed away December 9, 2020, at the age of 87. Reed passed away three days later on December 12, 2020, at the age of 91.

Ferl, the youngest of two daughters, was born on October 6, 1933 in Brigham City, Utah to James William Barker and Virginia Ferl Rose. After her mother passed away, Ferl's father remarried, and a step-brother, step-sister, and two half-sisters joined the family. Ferl spent her early years delighting in her golden retriever Butch, spending time with her beloved sister Beverly and with dear friends, and devouring books and movies. Ferl was a life-long learner who excelled at school, had a prodigious memory for poetry, was proficient in shorthand, and served as yearbook editor during her senior year at Box Elder High School. She attended Utah State University for a semester before marrying Reed in the Logan temple on June 5, 1952. After honeymooning in California, Ferl worked as a professional secretary prior to becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom to seven children. She was extraordinarily creative and filled her home with hand-crafted clothing, quilts, sweaters, needlepoint, holiday decorations, artwork, poems, and recipes. Ferl was devoted and loyal in her relationships and was constantly serving her friends, neighbors, and family. She and Reed served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Boston, Massachusetts Mission and labored in the Lowell, Massachusetts area. Ferl will always be associated with classical music, cats, and beautiful flowers, especially roses.

Reed, the youngest of ten children, was born on January 25, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah to William Vosco Call and Mary Lucretia "Mamie" Peters. Reed was very close to his mother, walking home from elementary and high school each day to eat lunch with her in spite of vexing Mamie with the antics of his pet monkey Pedro. Reed spent his formative years boxing, wrestling, working summers on a ranch in Snowville, Utah, and running the movie projector/changing the marquee at the family business, Brigham City’s Capitol Theatre. After graduating from Box Elder High School, Reed served a mission for the Church in the Eastern States Mission, which included part of Canada. After marrying Ferl, he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in school counseling. He later received an Ed.D in Educational Administration from Stanford. Reed was a consummate educator who touched countless lives working as a teacher, counselor, principal, director of social services, assistant superintendent, and superintendent for Granite School District. Renowned for his interpersonal communication skills, Reed served in the public relations department for the Church as liaison with groups including Horizon House and interdenominational organizations. In his spare time, Reed was always found near a horse, watching a movie, or cheering for the University of Utah basketball and football teams.

Reed and Ferl were preceded in death by two of their sons, John Call and Michael Call, as well as a granddaughter Katie Marie Call. They are survived by their children: Kevin (Janice) Call, Frank (Erin) Call, Ken (Debi) Call, Keith (Stephanie) Call, and Colette (Jonathan) Lofgren, in addition to 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Ferl is also survived by her sisters Sandra (Lonnie) Jensen, Rebecca (Ray) Willis, and Emily (John) Steffensen.

A public viewing will be held on January 3, 2021 from 3-6pm at Holbrook Mortuary (3251 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City) followed by a private family gathering. Interment will be at the Brigham City Cemetery on January 4, 2021 at 12pm.

Enjoy a video slideshow of Reed and Ferl’s life at: https://youtu.be/n0dJXyRnTyY