In Loving Memory of Gailen William Call

December 31, 1949 – October 19, 2026

Gailen William Call, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, coach, entrepreneur, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on October 19, 2026, following a courageous three-year battle with bladder cancer. He was 76 years old and leaves behind a legacy of hard work, determination, adventure, faith, and unforgettable memories.

Gailen was born on December 31, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to William Garland “Bill” Call and Gene Woodward Sanders Call. He grew up in Salt Lake City, graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1967, and attended Dixie College. Although his roots began in northern Utah, Southern Utah became his home for most of his life. He moved to Santa Clara to open his own furniture and upholstery shop, beginning a long career built on craftsmanship, creativity, and an unmistakable talent for selling.

An upholsterer by trade, Gailen owned Mastercraft of St. George, where he built furniture and put his skill and dedication into his work. Over the years, he sold cars, furniture, houses, mattresses, and just about anything else he believed in. Gailen had a gift for recognizing the value in something and sharing that enthusiasm with others. If he believed in it, he could sell it.

Gailen’s life, however, was about much more than work. He was a sports enthusiast through and through. He played and coached football, and one of his favorite titles was “Coach.” That simple word represented something he cherished: being part of a team, encouraging others, and sharing his love of the game. He ran a couple of marathons, was a softball maniac with a special passion for fast-pitch softball, and enjoyed cycling, participating in several races. He embraced challenges and stayed active, always ready for the next adventure.

He also loved to drive and travel. He made it to 48 of the 50 states, visiting most of them by car. For Gailen, the journey was every bit as important as the destination, and his travels provided countless experiences and stories along the way.

In later years, Gailen developed a passion for working with drones, combining his curiosity, technical interests, and love of Southern Utah’s beautiful landscapes. One of his crowning achievements was documenting the construction of the Red Cliffs Utah Temple through his drone work. He also filmed much of the construction of the Cedar City Utah Temple. These projects reflected both his dedication and his desire to capture something meaningful, creating a lasting visual record of places and moments that mattered deeply to him.

Gailen was never one to hide his beliefs. When he felt something was right, he stood his ground with conviction. At the same time, he was willing to listen to other people's opinions, even when they differed from his own. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Sons of the American Revolution. His faith and convictions were an important part of who he was, and he approached life with a strong sense of what he believed to be right.

Perhaps one of the things Gailen was best known for was his spectacular Christmas light display. His over-the-top, amazing decorations became a tradition and a destination, drawing people from all over to see the lights. He went all out, creating something that brought joy, wonder, and Christmas spirit to countless people. It was a fitting reflection of Gailen himself: enthusiastic, generous, larger than life, and never one to do things halfway.

Gailen married MaryEllen Morwood in 1970. They later divorced in 1996. In 2003, he married Janet Hale, who remained his loving wife and companion. Together, they shared the later years of his life, making memories and enjoying the experiences that came their way.

Gailen is survived by his wife, Janet Call of St. George, Utah; his children, Brooke (Jody) Smith of Delta, Utah; Shawna (Tony) Smith of St. George, Utah; and Dayne (Kortni) Call of Santa Clara, Utah; and his stepsons, Jeff Canale of Las Vegas, Nevada; Rob (Cat) Canale of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Dan (Naomi) Canale of Waco, Texas. He is also survived by his in-laws, James and Beverly Harper of Santa Clara, Utah; Martin (Dianne) Hale of St. George, Utah; Sondra (Doug) Cohen of Roanoke, Texas; Mike (Suzie) Harper of Provo, Utah; and Julie (Kirk) Brown of Copper Canyon, Texas.

Gailen leaves behind 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, each of whom adds to the lasting legacy of his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Gene Call, and his brothers, Steven Call and Michael Call.

Those who knew Gailen will remember a man who lived life with enthusiasm, determination, and a willingness to try something new. He was a craftsman, a salesman, an athlete, a coach, a traveler, a drone enthusiast, and a man of strong convictions. He was someone who pursued his interests wholeheartedly, whether that meant building furniture, competing in a race, traveling another stretch of highway, filming a temple construction project, or transforming his home into a Christmas wonderland.

His life was full of movement, projects, passions, and people. His absence will be deeply felt by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. Though his courageous battle has ended, the memories he created, the lessons he shared, and the joy he brought to others will continue for generations.

Funeral Services

Monday, November 2, 2026

Viewing: 9:00–10:30 a.m.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m.

Desert Hills Chapel

675 East Desert Hills Drive

St. George, Utah 84790

Interment will follow at Santa Clara Cemetery.

To view Gailen's services, please click the link below:

LIVESTREAM

Video link of Gailen's work for the Red Cliffs Temple: Video

Gailen’s story is one of hard work, faith, family, and living life on his own terms. He will be remembered with love, gratitude, a smile—and perhaps with a little extra Christmas sparkle! In honor of Gailen, may we remember to stand firm in what we believe, listen to one another, pursue our passions, enjoy the journey, and never be afraid to make life a little brighter for everyone around us.