Dale R Stringfellow

Dale passed away peacefully on July 31, 2011 at his home in Lincoln Hills, California. He was 12 days short of his 90th birthday. Dale was born on August 12, 1921 in Draper, Utah, where he grew up, herded sheep and graduated from Jordan High School.

Dale married Norma Guinn on Nov. 10, 1942 and served his country proudly as a Captain in the US Army during World War Two. He fought bravely in France and Germany under the command of Gen. George S. Patton, which included the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded and received several decorations. After the war, Dale graduated from the University of Utah in Business Administration and went to work as a project manager for Utah Construction, and later L. E. Dixon Company, bringing in housing and industrial developments around California, including the original Sports Arena in Los Angeles. He moved to the Sacramento area in 1962 while working for Sunset Oil, which was looking to diversify into real estate development. With Dale as project manager, Sunset Oil acquired the original Joel Parker Whitney Ranch outside of Rocklin and began a planned-unit development then called Sunset City, centered around what is today Sunset Whitney Country Club. The company eventually sold the land to other developers, and today the bulk of it is called Stanford Ranch, along with other surrounding communities. It looks very much like Sunset's original Master Plan.

In 1968, Dale moved to Benicia, California to become President/CEO of Benicia Industries, a company which he later purchased as a limited general partner. The company developed the industrial potential of the former military base in Benicia into viable civilian use. He semi-retired to Green Valley in Suisun, Stateline, Nevada, and eventually returned to Placer County in 2001 to live in Lincoln Hills.

Dale's wife, children and grandchildren were his focus. But he also loved hunting, fishing, golf, the aspen trees of Currant Creek watershed in Utah, and sweet desserts. In retirement, he and Norma traveled all over the world. He hunted elk in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada and spent time in Hawaii and Scotland. He was a past president of both Sunset Whitney Country Club in Rocklin and Green Valley Country Club in Suisun. He golfed several of the British Open courses, including Troon, Prestwick, Carnoustie, Muirfield, and the Old Course in St. Andrews.

Preceded in death by his parents, George and Edith Stringfellow; one sister, Dana S. Marlin; and three brothers, George, Burton, and Landon ('Tuck'). Survived by his wife of 69 years, Norma ('Jo') Guinn Stringfellow, sister El Nora Gunnell, son Gary (Susan), daughter Leslie Martinson (Dr. Kris), son Bradley (Mary), grandchildren Stephanie Snee (Bob) and Andrew Martinson (Kimi).

At his request, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his name be made to the SPCA. To leave a message or memory for the family, please visit www.LambertFuneral.com