Dale L Rector Sr.

a longtime resident of Arizona and World War II naval combat veteran, died July 29th 2014 at the age of 87. Born in Shamrock, Texas on December 30th 1926. He moved to Tucson, Arizona as a toddler with his parents, the late Samuel and Mamie Rector. He was their only child and lived most of his life in Arizona, passing away after succumbing to complications related to his long battle with diabetes. He is survived by his four children: Rhonda of Flagstaff, Dale Jr., Mark and Jerry of Phoenix, Arizona. He leaves behind 14 grand children, 21 great grand children and 1 great great grandchild.

Dale Sr. was a very kind man, satisfied with the simplest things in life. He worked most of his adult life for Greyhound Park, where he was a well known figure there working well into his seventies.

Due to diabetic complications, he spent the last five years of his life living at Osborne Health and Rehabilitation Center Scottsdale, Arizona. He stood out there as well, buzzing around on his motorized wheelchair and was very comfortable there with his surroundings, staff and friends. Visitors that came to call on him would sometimes have to search high and low to find him, as he was involved in many of the facilities activities: wood shop, bingo, crafts and special events. Children loved him, as he loved children and played the role of Santa Claus more than once. Being an avid baseball fan, he would ride his wheelchair to the nearby baseball park to enjoy Spring Training games. He was a sports fan in general and played a mean hand of gin rummy!

Dale will be greatly missed by his family and friends.