Dale was born on January 11, 1940 in Heber, California to Sybel (Martin) and Clay Dean. He was raised in California and Texas, where he was the oldest of three siblings; Lee, Charlene, and half-brother Earl Jr. who came into his life in a later marriage. As a child, Dale loved to play baseball, hunt, fish and reenact Cowboys and Indians with his schoolmates. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts, where he learned important leadership and life skills. Dale graduated from Andrews High School in Texas, in 1958, where his fondest memory was making a cedar chest in shop class for his mother.
After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, and was assigned to the 3349th Instructor Squadron at Chanute, Illinois Air Force Base, as an Airman First Class. A few months before his discharge from the service, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Irene Ems on June 3, 1962 in Ogden, Illinois. Shortly afterward, Dale and Irene moved to Arizona where they had three beautiful daughters together; Jeanne, Julie and Deborah.
As an adult, Dale studied at Mesa Community College and obtained his Private Pilot License. He loved to fly his plane, and eventually became a member of the Civil Air Patrol; where he assisted, and selflessly volunteered his time to carry out emergency services, disaster relief missions, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe. Dale worked diligently over 25 years with various transportation companies; Tanner, Sundt, Bechtel and D&I Transportation where he was Owner and Operator for six years.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Deborah, brother Lee, and sister Charlene. He is survived by his wife Irene, daughters Jeanne and Julie, grandchildren Krysta Havely, Kyle Havely and Shea Jones and half-brother Earl Flint Jr.
A visitation for Dale will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery, 401 N Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257. Services are scheduled for the following day, Friday, February 14, 2020 at 10:00 AM with burial to follow. The family would like to invite all guests to a Reception at the conclusion of the Committal Service, in Green Acres Mortuary Reception Hall.
Dale was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and friend, and he will truly be missed.
“Those we love remain with us, for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade, because a loved one's gone. Those we love can never be, more than a thought apart, for as long as there is memory, they'll live on in the heart.”
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