Merlin Wendell Call was born Nov. 25, 1931 in Long Beach, California, to Harry Truman Call and Bernice Johnson Call. He died Jan. 6, 2026 in Santa Barbara.

Merlin attended Pasadena schools and earned his LL.B. degree from Stanford Law School.

After serving as a first lieutenant in the Army JAG during the Korean War, he became a partner at Tuttle and Taylor Law Firm in Los Angeles, later moving his office to Pasadena.

Merlin was an active church member and served on the boards of numerous parachurch organizations, including Westmont College.

Merlin is survived by son Christopher Douglas Call (Lisa) and daughter Lori Lynne Call, all of Santa Barbara; granddaughters Erin Almaraz (Matt) and Janna Call. His former wife Kathryn Gage Call predeceased him.

Information on a celebration of life in Santa Barbara is posted at https://reardonfuneral.com/Obituaries.html.