Gene Dale (AKA Dallas Eugene Dale)

Gene Dale (AKA Dallas Eugene Dale), 98, El Dorado Springs, passed away Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. He was born in Cedar County on July 30, 1925, to Alonzo Dallas Dale and Maudie E. Hopper. He attended school in Cherokee, KS, Kansas City, and graduated high school in El Dorado Springs.

He was saved at age 16 at Dederick Christian Church and baptized in a pond on Clear Creek Hill that he said is no longer there.

Gene was called to service during World War II and served aboard the USS Phoenix in the South Pacific. He had received special training to be a gunner’s mate and was assigned to the Navy’s Seventh Fleet. The USS Phoenix was the flagship of the fleet and General McArthur was aboard the ship as they progressed toward the Philippines.

After coming home from the war, Gene went to work for Sac Osage Electric Co-op where he worked for 35 years….first as a lineman, then into management after several years.

He was an avid sportsman and loved fishing and hunting. He loved playing fast-pitch softball…..and at a ballgame in Collins is where he met Dorthy Keller. He saw her in the bleachers and asked for an introduction….and the rest is history. They were married for 74 years. To this union, three children were born, Connie Dale Olson, Ronnie Dale and Linda Dale Douglas.

He is survived by wife, Dorthy Dale; daughter, Connie Dale Olson (Ben); grandchildren, Michael Graves, Stacie Schmidt (Jarrod), Taylor Mendenhall (Jonah), Travis Dale; and great-grandchildren, Olivia, Riley, Brady, Silas and Mila.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Nona Grindinger; son, Ronnie Dale; and daughter, Linda Dale Douglas.

We also recognize Gary and Shirley Vickers who are such wonderful friends…and we consider family….who have done so much to contribute love and happiness to Gene’s life and that of his family.

Services will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home with visitation at 1 p.m. Reverend Brent Bland will preach. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, please  make contributions to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association.