Dale L. Harker

Many things can be said about Dale L. Harker. Known to his family and friends as a kind, energetic, empathic and devoted man, who loved the Lord Jesus Christ and his family. His compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing his charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. He was warmhearted, gentle and intentional in all the things he sought to accomplish. Grandpa was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around him. He genuinely had a focus on serving others, harmony, peace and on being a servant of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dale L. Harker was born in Odin, Illinois on October 29, 1918. His parents were Frank and Edna Harker and he was raised on The Harker Farm. When he was young, Grandpa's friends and family found that “genuine” and “honest” were perfect words to describe him. Even as a child, Grandpa demonstrated strong qualities of caring and serving others when he would help his Grandmother Murtin and his Uncle Tommy on their farms. He would tell of how his mother would say, “Grandma Murtin or Uncle Tommy are in need of a boy,” and he would go help. His ability to do for others gave him a disposition that was enjoyable to those around him.

Grandpa grew up with three siblings. He had an eldest sister, Viola and two brothers Wayne and Carol. Grandpa was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with his family that involved working around the farm and singing hymns with instruments. He was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served him well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Grandpa carried these traits into his adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found him pleasurable and delightful to be around. Grandpa was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those he knew.

As a young boy, Grandpa was also imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether his peers or siblings were older or younger, Grandpa could easily relate to other kids. He also followed his two older brothers Wayne and Carol around enjoying playful pranks, smoking cigars at school, or learning bad words for a laugh. Grandpa's memorable achievements included winning the county Spelling Bee. However, to Grandpa, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his brothers at school playing “snatch grab”, experimenting with a model T coil to use an electrical current as a shock, or putting firecrackers in the rear end of a mule. In his last days, he would laugh as he thought of these memories and told of these stories.

Dale graduated from Centralia High School in 1936. He did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to him. In this way, Grandpa had a talent for story telling but Grandpa was also an excellent listener. He placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for him just around the corner. He looked for opportunities and with borrowed money from his brother for a bus ticket; he came to San Diego, California.

Grandpa did well in San Diego, as a result of his being intuitive, hard working, and ambitious. His first job was delivering telegrams all over San Diego on a bicycle for Western Union. Grandpa worked days delivering telegrams and went to night school to become a machinist. During World War II, he aided the war efforts by working for Convair while attending Watchmakers College. The skill of having a good strong work ethic helped Grandpa immensely. He was innovative and creative and could engineer any tool for work or fun. No matter what the job was, Grandpa was always very perceptive and embraced the physical and mental challenges that his days of hard work experience provided.

Grandpa met Frances Marie Kelly and was smitten. Frances’ brother worked for Western Union delivering telegrams with Grandpa and introduced Dale to Frances. Frances lived in Mission beach California with her mother, Eva Smith. In love and devotion, on August 25, 1940 Dale married Frances Kelly and they made their first home in Mission Beach, California. Dale was then called to serve in the Navy near the end of WWII and also served in the Korean War. Grandpa was always honored to serve his God, family, and country.

Grandpa’s quality of being caring and unconditional with others, translated to being a good father to his children. Dale and Frances were told they could not have children but Dale’s first born son, Dale Jr. also called “Little Lee”, was born on December 28,1947. Dale took newborn baby Lee home alone to care for him for a few days before Frances could come home from the hospital. He was caring and tender with his precious new son. Their second child, Victoria Lee, was born December 19, 1949. Grandpa shared these values with his son, Lee and daughter Vicky. Grandpa was also blessed with four grandchildren, Daleena, Paul, David, and Dara. Grandpa related well to children of all ages and was able to bond with them from infancy. The children always loved him and he was completely and totally devoted to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Grandpa experienced success in his work life. His primary occupation was a watchmaker and business owner. He was self-employed for all of his life and the owner of Kings Jewelers on 3rd Avenue in Chula Vista, California. Grandpa took pride in managing his professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project; even if it meant many hours and long long days at the store.

Grandpa served his country during World War II and two years during the Korean War. His fellow soldiers knew him as being very resourceful and kind. Grandpa demonstrated personal initiative and valued these same principles in those with whom he served. Grandpa was honored by his great grandson Noah as a Veteran at Fort Rosecrans and by San Diego Hospice for his years of service.

Throughout his life, Grandpa was actively involved in church leadership, teaching, mentoring and was a man of influence to his family and all who knew him. Often putting his own needs aside, Grandpa was a member of the Masons and an Elder and Deacon at The National City Baptist Church and First Baptist of Lemon Grove. He served as a Deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of National City, and then later taught adult Sunday school at Lemon Grove Baptist Church. He studied and loved God’s word.

Grandpa also took great pleasure in his favorite pursuits of time with family and church family, camping, hiking, riding bicycles, growing oranges, cooking breakfast outside, picture taking, riding his motorcycle, and creating and designing tools for work or fun. Grandpa enjoyed sharing his passions with people, his children and grandchildren. Grandpa was also lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Grandpa's favorite were his dogs, Gabby and Bailey. They were his best friends and companions for many years.

After many years of working Grandpa had planned for this part of his life with Grandma. When that time eventually arrived, Grandpa knew exactly what he wanted to do. His new life involved relocating to Grandma’s favorite place in the world, Ouray, Colorado. Even in retirement, Grandpa continued to stay very active and built an addition to their home; but they certainly enjoyed a slower pace of life and the beauty of the mountains. When Frances needed more care because of Alzheimers, Grandpa decided to move back to California to live with Lee and daughter-in-law, Mary. Lee had a beautiful home built and prepared for them to near to family and help. Dale cared for Frances until her passing in November of 2007.

Grandpa continued to reside and was cared for by family in the home Lee built for his mom and dad. He enjoyed family until the very day of his passing on December 21, 2015. He passed away with Lee, Mary, Daleena, David, and Dara by his side at Bonita View Hospice Home, California. Grandpa was a strong man with a strong heart. He is survived by his children Lee, Mary and Vicky; his 4 grandchildren Daleena, Paul, David, and Dara; his 16 great-grandchildren Daniel, Rachel, Danielle, Kirsten, Kaylee, Tyler, Kyle, Kortney, Megan, Nathan, Noah, Anna, Jonathan, Abigail, Maisen. Services were held at Glen Abbey where Grandpa was laid to rest with Grandma.

Throughout his life, Grandpa was a very loving, giving and helpful to those he knew and loved. He was generous in sharing his faith in Jesus Christ with others in a very real, meaningful, intentional and practical way. He would bring out the best in everyone. He was faithful, truthful, honest, tender hearted and easy to love. Grandpa leaves behind him a legacy of unconditional love and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives he touched will dearly remember Dale L. Harker. He is much loved and will be missed by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but in Heavenly glory he is rejoicing in the Lord FOREVER! Amen