Joseph Verl Dale

Joseph V Dale

Ferron, Utah

Our devoted father, Joseph Verl Dale, 83, passed away at his home in Ferron, Wednesday December 5, 2018 after a battle with cancer. He was born November 7, 1935 in Richfield, Utah the son of Reginald Thomas and Rachel Young Dale. His father passed away at a young age leaving Grandma to raise four children: Tom Dale (deceased), Naomi Tanner, Dad and Reganna Opfer (deceased). He spent his youth and early years in Richfield, and was often found in nearby Monroe, working or hunting with his uncles: Parley (Beryl) Young, and Andy (Reba) Winget. He was raised by his mom and village of extended family.

The day after high school graduation, he enlisted in the Naval Air Force and served a full tour of duty in the Western Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier, Ticonderoga, June 1954-June1958. He was a mechanic in the Naval Air wing maintaining the bombers aboard the ship. While stationed in Tennessee, he met Carolyn Annette Shanks and they married in the Salt Lake Temple. After his discharge, they moved to Utah where he attended Utah State University and earned a degree in Wildlife Resources.

Dad was an avid sportsman, and loved the outdoors, mountains or desert, hunting and fishing and he loved anyone who would talk about it. He also loved BYU and Aggie sports. He moved to Ferron as the local Wildlife Resource Officer. It was a natural fit.

In 1967, Carolyn passed away very unexpectedly leaving Dad and four young children, the youngest only five weeks old. Dad was determined to keep his family together. He called on a local young widow, VeRee Childs-Cox of Orangeville, who worked in the bank and had actually declined giving him a loan! They were later married in the Manti Utah Temple and added VeRee's son to the family. Over the next few years together, they added two more children to complete a real-life yours-mine-and-ours family. There was one cardinal family rule: No one kept track of who belonged to whom. We were all one family! With that in mind, Mom and Dad raised seven children: Joy Lynn (deceased) and Jay Mark Humphrey, Orangeville; Bill and Nadine Cox, Hyde Park; Marcie and Lonnie Zwahlen, Ferron; Reggie Dale, Rock Springs; Cheryl and Victor Tsushima, North Ogden; Valerie and Kash Winn, Ferron; Shayne and Heidi Dale, Ferron. They have 28 grandchildren, and 49 great-grandchildren.

Dad and Mom recently celebrated 51 years of marriage in November. For the past 10 years, Dad has dedicated his entire life to taking care of Mom. Turns out he is a great house-husband. He is survived by his wife, children and their spouses; a sister, Naoma (John) Tanner, Lehi; brothers-in-law: Walter Shanks, Missouri; William (Shirlene) Shanks, West Valley; and the Cox family who claim him as their own: Arlene Lemon, Ferron; Ted (Geralyn) Cox, Kimberly ID; Marilyn Fugate, Orangeville; Carren (Wayne) Ogden, Richfield.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ferron Stake Center, 555 South 400 West . Viewings will be held at the stake center in Ferron on Friday evening from 5 to 7 or on Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30. Graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. in the Richfield City Cemetery with military honors. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guest book www.maglebymortuary.com