Eran Abegg Call
1929 - 2018
VETERAN

Early Life: Eran was born December 2, 1929, in Colonia Dublán, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Anson Bowen Call and Julia Sarah Abegg Call. As the youngest of 12 children, he was taught the importance of serving others and hard work by his mother, father and siblings. Eran's mother passed away when he was seven years old, and was raised by his dear father, "Papa Call" as well as his older siblings. He graduated from the Juarez Stake Academy in Colonia Juarez, Mexico.
Life's Work | Service | Interests: He then attended college at Brigham Young University where he received a bachelor's degree and ran the 440 for the track and field team. Eran was called to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico. He then served in the United States Army in Panama during the Korean Conflict, where he taught the gospel to the Kuna Indians of the San Blas Islands, baptizing the first Kuna Indian into the Church. Upon his return to Brigham Young University, he met his bride, love of his life and best friend, Katherine "Kay" Groesbeck, of Springville. After a brief courtship, Eran and Kay were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 24, 1955. Later, he attended New York University, where he earned a master's degree in business administration. After graduating from NYU, they moved back to Utah to allow Kay to finish her nursing degree, fulfilling a promise Eran made to Kay's father. Over Eran's professional career, he was active in business—from managing a department store to real estate investment and development. Eran's central career was as a faculty member at Brigham Young University, from which he retired in December 1994. He was an active member in the community, serving on the boards of several charitable organizations. His true passion was helping the less fortunate. Over the course of his life, he established numerous dental and medical clinics, orphanages and schools in Mexico and Central America, rallying the aid of many physicians, dentists, hospitals, business people and support, in an effort to improve the lives of thousands found in humble circumstances. At the age of 40, Eran was called to serve as mission president of the Mexico Mexico City Mission. Within 10 days of his calling by President Harold B. Lee, Eran, Kay and their six children were in Mexico City, ready to serve. This Church calling was among many Eran would receive, including bishop, stake presidency counselor, sealer, director of the Church Education System in Central America, patriarch, Mexico MTC president, general authority seventy, area president Mexico North Area, the first temple president of the Monterrey Mexico Temple, and full-time public relations missionary in the Caribbean Area. Together, he and Kay served over 16 years in Latin America and the Caribbean. Eran was blessed with a keen mind, dogged work ethic, deep compassion for the needy, and a pure and enduring faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. He will be remembered, especially by his children, for the love and respect he held for their mother, his wife and dearest friend, Kay. Eran Abegg Call passed away peacefully October 29, 2018, due to conditions incident to age. He was 88.
Survived By: His daughters: Katherine "Kathy" (Robert) Hymas, Bahia Blanca, Argentina; Christine (Guy) Golightly, Spanish Fork; Julia (Daniel) Doxey, Provo; sons: Robert (Suzanne), Oregon; John (Ann), California; Steven (SueEllen), Orem; Thomas (Hilary), California; Matthew (Maria), Indiana; David (Shanni), Spanish Fork; as well as 18 granddaughters, 25 grandsons and 24 great-grandchildren.
Preceded In Death By: His dear wife, Kay; his parents; his sisters: Lorna, Ola, Fulvia, Nelda, Vesta and Ruth; brothers: Ara, Omer, Homer, Adro Thone and Arnold.
Arrangements and Obituary: © 2018 | Utah Valley Mortuary
Service: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Chapel Location: 4200 N. Foothill Drive | Provo, Utah
Interment: Evergreen Cemetery

Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley