David B. McCall

David B. McCall Jr.
Born	Template:Birth date Snow Hill near Farmersville, Collin County, Texas, U.S.
Died	February 17, 2004(2004-02-17) (aged 79)
Occupation(s)	Banker, politician
Years active	1952–1989
Known for	Mayor of Plano, Texas (1956–1960); CEO of Plano Savings and Loan Association; convicted of fraud

David B. McCall Jr. (March 31, 1924 – February 17, 2004) was an American figure in banking and politics, holding the office of Mayor of Plano, Texas between 1956 and 1960. He established the Plano Savings and Loan Association and acted as its CEO for more than a quarter-century until the institution's collapse in 1989. In 1997, McCall was found guilty of fraud involving $25 million in falsified loan documents and received a five-year prison sentence. Shortly before his passing in 2004, he was granted a presidential pardon by President George W. Bush.

Early life

Born in 1924 in Snow Hill near Farmersville, located in Collin County, Texas, McCall earned academic credentials from both Louisiana Tech University and Southern Methodist University. After completing his service with the United States Marine Corps, he relocated with his wife Nellie to Plano in 1946, at a time when the town's population was roughly 1,500 residents. Between 1952 and 1955, he worked as an elementary school principal and coached basketball.

Business career

In 1955, McCall acquired an insurance agency based in Plano. He went on to establish the Plano Savings and Loan Association in 1963, where he held the roles of chairman and CEO for 26 years until its downfall amid the savings and loan crisis in 1989. Furthermore, he played a key role in securing majority control of First National Bank of Plano and served as its board chairman for thirteen years.

Political career

McCall served as Plano’s mayor from 1956 through 1960, winning his initial election by a margin of 276 to 60 votes. His leadership coincided with a period during which the city’s population doubled and substantial improvements were made to local infrastructure.

Criminal charges

In August 1995, McCall along with four others—including former Plano mayor Jack Harvard (who served from 1982 to 1990)—were charged with allegedly transferring problematic loans among banks to hide financial difficulties from regulatory examiners. On October 10, 1996, McCall entered a guilty plea and received a sentence consisting of five years imprisonment, three months of home detention, five years probation, and $100,000 restitution. He served six months before being released. Harvard also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years behind bars.

Presidential pardon

Just four days prior to McCall’s death, President George W. Bush issued him a presidential pardon. Prominent figures such as U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Congressman Ralph Hall provided testimonials regarding his character. This pardon marked the eighth time President Bush exercised this authority. The expedited nature of the pardon process—completed within two to three business days—prompted scrutiny over potential preferential treatment due to the McCall family’s ties to officials within the Bush administration, including Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Initially, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas opposed the pardon on procedural grounds.

Personal life

McCall and his wife raised two sons who became involved in Texas politics. Brian McCall represented the Plano area in the Texas House of Representatives from 1990 until 2010 before assuming the role of chancellor for the Texas State University System. David McCall III served as the inaugural chairman of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which operates within the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. In February 2004, shortly before his presidential pardon, Plano honored McCall by dedicating a downtown plaza in his name. He was often referred to as "Mr. Plano."