Raymond (Jim) Henry McCall Jr., age 91, of Newark, Delaware, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Born on August 26, 1935, in Wilmington, Delaware, he was the son of the late Raymond Henry McCall Sr. and Jennie Julia (Klukiewicz) McCall.

Raymond devoted much of his life to farming, a passion that reflected his love of the land and his desire to share his knowledge with others. He especially enjoyed teaching children how to garden, passing along the skills and appreciation for nature that meant so much to him. A lifelong member of Christiana United Methodist Church, Raymond also dedicated countless hours to serving his community and helping others.

A proud and dedicated firefighter, Raymond joined the Christiana Fire Company in 1959 and served for 67 years. Throughout his remarkable tenure, he held numerous leadership and service positions, including four terms as Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Assistant Engineer, and Director. He was awarded the honor of Chief Emeritus in 1990. His commitment to the fire service extended beyond his local company, as he served as President of the New Castle County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and as President of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association (DVFA) in 1979. Raymond’s dedication and leadership left a lasting mark on the fire service and the community he faithfully served.

Raymond also enjoyed giving back to local youth as a coach for Canal Little League baseball for eight years. Whether working on the farm, teaching children to garden, coaching a baseball team, or serving alongside his fellow firefighters, he found fulfillment in helping others and sharing what he knew.

Above all, Raymond cherished his family. He was the family historian, taking great care to preserve photographs, memories, and stories for future generations. His love of history and storytelling led him to author a book for the Christiana Fire Company, ensuring that its rich history and traditions would be remembered.

Raymond will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Patricia A. McCall; his children, Vickie Bush (Billy), Cynthia McCall, and James McCall (Christine); his grandchildren, Shelly, Melanie (Mike), Joseph (Courtney), James (Kristin), Lindsey, and Kristy; 17 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Charles McCall (Nancy), Dale McCall, and Terry Early (Michael), along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grand-daughter, Lisa, and his sister-in-law, Carol.

Raymond’s life was defined by his devotion to family, his love of the land, his commitment to his faith, and his extraordinary service to his community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but his stories, contributions, and cherished memories will live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind.

A celebration of Raymond’s life will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at R.T. Foard & Jones, Inc., 122 West Main Street, Newark, Delaware. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Christiana Presbyterian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Christiana Fire Company in Raymond’s memory.