Dale Edward White

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Dale Edward White, 72, of El Dorado Springs, Mo., passed away, Aug. 29, 2008, at the Barone Alzheimer's Care Center, in Nevada.

Dale was born Feb. 11, 1936, in Milo, to Nelson and Myrl (Huff) White. He was the oldest of five boys. He graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1953. After school he went to work for the International Shoe Factory. He stayed there until they closed, putting in 33 years with them. Dale then went to work at Frank Doty's Nursery. He later worked at the State Hospital, in Nevada, and then retired from O'Sullivan in Lamar.

Dale never met a stranger, getting everyone with a smile. He often stopped what he was doing to help a friend or family. Many memories of this quick-witted man, his ability to make us laugh and the things he taught through simple conversation will remain here with us.

Dale was saved at an early age. He always tried to live by the Good Book and was at church whenever the doors were open.

Dale loved working the land, doing gardening and landscaping. At five years of age, he saved the fruit tree his mother just knew would die out by the pond. He had discovered his life-long passion. Dale's garden was always huge, and his greenhouse was always blooming. From cactus to an orange tree, if it could be grown he would grow it. If you thought you had killed your plant, you could bring it to him and he would use his "green thumb" and have it growing again.

He spent many years on the bowling league and he won many trophies. He loved watching football on Sundays and cheering on his grandson at his football games. He also enjoyed spending time on the water, fishing with his buddies and his family, and the fish fries that followed.

Dale married Doris Coleman, and they had two children, Ricky Dean and Vicki Diane. He later married Annette Frizzell and they had one child, Tracy Dawn.

Preceding him in death were his father in 1974; his mother in 2001; his daughter Vicki in 2003; and his son Ricky in 2008. He is survived by his daughter Tracy Kirby, of El Dorado Springs; his daughter-in-law, Vicky White, of Neosho; five granddaughters Nicky, Jackie, Emily, Allycia and Lacey, and one grandson, Tanner; seven great-grandchildren, Tierra, Ricky, Hanna, Victoria, Rilen, Jaymin and Addyson; four brothers, Doyle, Duane and wife Helen, of Virgil City, Larry and wife Judy, of Butler, and Terry and wife Bonnie, of Harwood; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home, with the Rev. James Coleman officiating. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday Sept. 1. Burial was in the Virgil City Cemetery, under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Doyle White, Duane White, Larry White, Terry White, Morris high and Ronald Kirby.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.