Memories of Dale Lee Fitch

Michael Kinane

I was Saddened when I heard the news of Dale's passing. Dale was a great wrestler and great friend. RIP Dale.

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David Glenn

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Jimmy Thornton Jr

2016, Las Vegas, Nevada (World Pool Championships)

Dale, as he prepares to win the game for his team, on the break, with his 1st shot. 8-Ball quickly lands in the side pocket. Great pool form & in a wheel chair!! It was AWESOME Dale!!ale

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Keri Nelson

Mike Hessing

Michael Kinane

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Jimmy Thornton Jr

2016, Las Vegas, Nevada

Proof Dale & son, Shane, played in the World Pool Championships.

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Michael Kinane

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Jimmy Thornton Jr

2016, Las Vegas, Nevada (World Pool Championships)

Dale wins game with 1st shot on break & 8-ball in side pocket. Shane is seated behind him, on left side of picture, with black shirt & baseball hat.

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Keri Nelson

Michael Kinane

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Jimmy Thornton Jr

1976, High School State Wrestling Championships

Dale, along with our team mates, Brian Stranger & Rick Obama, each finished 2nd place in their weight category and led our team to 2nd Place in the State Tournament.

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Keri Nelson

Mike Hessing

Michael Kinane

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Michael Kinane

All Great Wrestlers. Go Warriors. All Great Wrestlers. Go Warriors. All Great Wrestlers. Go Warriors.

Jimmy Thornton Jr

2013, Van Nuys, Calif. at Dale's Mom's house

Dale's purchase of Jimmy's Custom Ski Boat

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Keri Nelson

Mike Hessing

Michael Kinane

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Mike Hessing

Hey Jimmy, Thanks for the excellent trip down memory lane. Such a touching recollection of special times... Read more Hey Jimmy, Thanks for the excellent trip down memory lane. Such a touching recollection of special times shared..brought tears... Read more Hey Jimmy, Thanks for the excellent trip down memory... Read more

Jimmy Thornton Jr

Mike, You’re welcome & thanks! You, Carol, Sharon and so many others were involved in a number of those memories,... Read more Mike, You’re welcome & thanks! You, Carol, Sharon and so many others were involved in a number of those memories, which we all... Read more Mike, You’re welcome & thanks! You, Carol, Sharon and... Read more

Jimmy Thornton Jr

I’d like to extend my sincerest condolences to the Fitch families, especially Dale’s mother, Paula, sisters Cathey and Keri, as well as, Dale’s children, grandchildren, other family, and friends. I was blessed to have known Dale, and am a better man because of him. I enjoyed the opportunity to establish a great friendship with him, which started at West High School in Torrance, California. We played football and wrestled together, while fortunately always being in the starting line-up. When wrestling ended, we transitioned to our next sport, which for me was baseball, and Dale, track and field, where he was a pole vaulter and sprinter.

Dale & I became lifelong friends, although we didn’t see each other as often as we would have liked, once the distance of states separated us, and we began our new lives and careers. I remember so many great times, meals and adventures at the Fitch family residences in Torrance and later the Van Nuys (Valley) area.

I did have the fortune of being Dale’s best man for his marriage to Desiree, and he, in turn was in my wedding many years later. In fact, we celebrated his 28th birthday at my wedding reception, along with my Grandfather’s 60th birthday, and flew a banner to celebrate them.

Dale was a (3) sport athlete in high school, which is almost unheard of these days. He was one tough dude, on and off the field or mat. He was a handsome, well-fit guy, who was always admired by the girls, had a gift to gab, and a great sense of humor. He always had a joke, and loved to pull a prank or two on you. Don’t be fooled by Dale’s good looks, charming personality, good sense of humor and nice smile, which he acquired from his mother, because he was not afraid of anybody, regardless of how much bigger they were than him. I’ve seen him go toe-to-toe with guys much bigger than him and twice his weight.

Dale definitely took after his Dad when it came to his tough, competitive spirit, which I occasionally referred to as Bad-Ass Bob, who didn’t take any shit from anybody, regardless their size. Bob was strong, quick, tough and had a tenacious will to win, which was passed down to Dale.

There are so many stories to share of my time/years spent with Dale, so without being long winded, I’d like to synopsize many of them with a short word or sentence, which may assist some of the readers with a reflection down memory lane. These memories are Dale’s pre-accident days: West High School, sports, hell week/two-a-days for football, CIF football playoffs, cutting weight for wrestling, sauna rooms with plastics, war ball with Coach Wyatt in the wrestling room, weekend wrestling tournaments; Dale was a stud and took 2nd in State his senior year in wrestling, out of about 1,000 wrestlers at his weight class alone (i.e. 136 lbs.), which earned him a full ride scholarship to the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Note: I included an archive wrestling article from 1976, which lists Dale’s name at 136 lbs., as he helped lead our team to 2nd Place overall, in the State meet; parties after football games, beer drinking, weekend shenanigans, some of which are not to be shared; competitive darts, food fights inside the house, water balloon fights, pool parties, mud wrestling, high school wrestling team trip to the Krause cabin in Big Bear, the perfect squirrel, the birth of Dale’s kids, trip to San Francisco for Mike Kinane’s wedding, magic mountain adventures, stuck atop the “Free Fall” ride with Dale and his Mom, double dating in high school, Cindy Schott, Dale’s light blue 60’s Corvair car (referred to back then as the poor man’s Porsche) with the motor in the rear and a wire from the carburetor to the front driver’s area, so he could pull on it, in place of his accelerator pedal, which was broken; green Honda 350 motorcycle, bowling challenges, trips to Vegas, gambling, and many, many laughs together!

Dale was a guy who lived life to the fullest, both before and after the motorcycle accident that left him relegated to a wheel chair. For the average person, this may have been a death sentence, but for Dale, it became another challenge, which he faced with great vigor, tenacity and success.

I’ll never forget learning of Dale’s accident and paralysis via long distance phone call from Washington, which occurred on my birthday in 1985, only 9 years out of high school. As a result, I left my street motorcycle parked in the garage for 7 years without being ridden, but it was Dale who provided the inspiration for me to saddle back up and get on the road again.

Dale was a terrific athlete and always a competitive person, while also having artistic skills when it came to art work and handcrafting design with glass, metal and soldering. I’d like to now briefly share some post-accident thoughts/memories: Dale could wheelie his wheel chair as long as he desired and had a free path ahead, high school reunions, beer drinking & whiskey, while he sported his cowboy hat and boots; despite his handicap, he excelled at competitive darts, bowling, participated in the National Tennis Wheel Chair Championships, World Pool Championships, on both, wheel chair and non-wheel chair teams, while also being ranked among the top 6 players in the country; boating, tubing and knee boarding, basketball, bowling, and arm-wrestling. Note: I included an 11 second video clip, which I took at the World Pool Championships in Las Vegas, during August, 2016. I was lucky enough to catch him hitting the 8-Ball in the side pocket, on the break, to win the game for his team, with the first shot of the game. If you look closely, you’ll see Dale raise his hands in celebration. When he does, his son, “Shane,” who is seated behind him, with the team, leans forward into camera view, with a smile, while wearing a black baseball hat that is turned around.

I’ll always remember a road trip to Washington in 1987 to visit Dale and his family, with my then wife, Jackie. I was blown away to learn Dale had a boat, which I witnessed him trailer, launch and drive, all unassisted. An amazingly talented guy in so many ways!

Fast forward to 2013, while I was in the process of finalizing my divorce and had to sell my toys, I sold Dale the custom ski boat I purchased in 1987, and we closed the deal in front of his Mom’s house in Van Nuys (refer attached picture of us with pink slip).

In closing, I’ll share a funny story, I’ve been telling since high school and as recent as a month ago, providing the timing is right. Dale always had a great memory for jokes, which was not my forte, so I chose to write one down as he shared it with me. The caveat is, we were seniors in high school, straddling a bench in the boy’s locker room, in full football uniform, with helmets on, while awaiting the call to enter the field for a CIF (California Interscholastic Football) Playoff game. It was the semi-finals against South Hills on our home field.

As I was hurriedly scribbling on a piece of paper and Dale was sharing his joke, which was actually a rhyme, our lineman coach, Fred Burch, saw us and angrily shouted, what the h… are you guys doing! We’re getting ready to play our most important game of the year! (Note, we were undefeated at 11-0, and a win would send us to the championship game).

The next thing I knew, the coach slapped me alongside the helmet, knocked me into the lockers, and down onto the floor, while he proceeded to tell us to get our heads out of our a….s. I was seeing stars and Dale thought it was funny.

With that said, I’ll share what I learned that day, over 44 years ago, and is the only joke/rhyme I still remember to this day: “Three Irishmen, Three Irishmen, were digging in a ditch, and One called the other one a dirty son of a Peter-Murphy, a dirty dog was he; He gave it to his Lady friend to keep her company; She taught it, she taught it, she taught it how to jump; it jumped right up her petty coat and bit her on the..Country Boy from Germany was pissing on a rock, and along came a Bumble-Bee and stung him on his Cock-Tails, Ginger-Ale, Five cents a glass, and if you don’t like my story, you can shove it Up your… Ask me no questions, tell me no lies, If you ever get hit with a bucket of shit, be sure to close your eyes!”

God Bless you Dale, Love Ya and See you in Heaven! Jimmy Thornton, aka: “Chief”

PS I hope the Picture, Article & Video are added to the post.

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Keri Nelson

Carol Frehse-Shill

Michael Kinane

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Keri Nelson

Oh Jimmy thank you for all the memories. We all had some good times didn’t we! I got pictures of those mud... Read more Oh Jimmy thank you for all the memories. We all had some good times didn’t we! I got pictures of those mud wrestling bouts in ... Read more Oh Jimmy thank you for all the memories. We all had... Read more

Jimmy Thornton Jr

Keri, You’re most welcome & Yes!!! We had a blast!! So much fun!! Keri, You’re most welcome & Yes!!! We had a blast!! So much fun!! Keri, You’re most welcome & Yes!!! We had a blast!!... Read more

Jimmy Thornton Jr

Keri, You’re most welcome & the site published my post before I finished. So sorry for misspelling your ... Read more Keri, You’re most welcome & the site published my post before I finished. So sorry for misspelling your name.. Please forgive... Read more Keri, You’re most welcome & the site published my post... Read more

Carol Frehse-Shill

wow, this is a wonderful tribute to Dale, Jimmy 🥰 wow, this is a wonderful tribute to Dale, Jimmy 🥰 wow, this is a wonderful tribute to Dale, Jimmy 🥰

Jimmy Thornton Jr

Carol, Thank you for your kind thoughts, and memory shared about Dale. We all had many great times together,... Read more Carol, Thank you for your kind thoughts, and memory shared about Dale. We all had many great times together, while creating fun... Read more Carol, Thank you for your kind thoughts, and memory... Read more

Michael Kinane

Jimmy. Thanks for sharing so many great memories. Dale was one unique individual, and good friend. Jimmy. Thanks for sharing so many great memories. Dale was one unique individual, and good friend. Jimmy. Thanks for sharing so many great memories. Dale... Read more

Donna Robinson

So very sorry to hear this. I've known Dale for many years through playing pool. He was such a competitive and great player. He will definitely be missed by many. RIP Dale.

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Donna Robinson

Michael Kinane

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Keri Nelson

Growing up my brother was my hero. I have so many happy memories. He was 8 years older than me and he was my protector. I loved going to his football games but wrestling was my favorite. Screaming at the matches till my voice was raw. So proud of him when he took 2nd place in all of Ca in wrestling. He caught me a baby chipmunk when I was 5 that we kept as a pet. He would make forts for me. When we were older we had fun going to karaoke, I sounded like a cat in heat when I sang but he would always tell me “good job.” He introduced me to Our favorite band Queen. My brother could be a real ass sometimes, but some how I couldn’t stay mad. He had a way of making me laugh like no other. He loved pranks, April Fools Day you always new to be on the look out for something, yet somehow he pulled off some good ones. His wheelchair never stopped him from living life to the fullest. I was about 7 months pregnant when I went on his speed boat. I thought I was going to go into labor the way he was jumping the boat over the wakes flying through the air. He took me to my first casino in Seattle teaching me how to play blackjack. I won $700 that night. He was my first best friend and was always on my side. We could confide in each other about anything and everything. Somethings I wish I never knew! Oye He taught me about football and we had a love of the Seahawks. We would text each other during the games screaming WTF and Yes YES YES. Dale spread your little wings and fly away. These are the days of our lives. You will live in my heart always. Thank you for all the good times . Love your little sister. Keri

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Michael Kinane

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Rand St Hilaire

Dale was a great guy. I first met Dale on the wrestling team and we would work out together. It was such a treat to spend time with him. So sorry to hear the news of his passing.

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Michael Kinane

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Vicki Jacobs-Schmidt

I have great memories of Dale in high school. He was such a great guy!! ♥️

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Michael Kinane

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Kelly Scharpf

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Michael Kinane

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Diane Johnson Del Prado

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Teresa Way

Remembering the joy in his smile~Warrior strong~

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Mike Hessing

Michael Kinane

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Sharon (Rolland)

1976, Torrance, CA, USA

High School Graduation

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Mike Hessing

Teresa Way

Keri Nelson

Michael Kinane

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Sharon (Rolland)

My sincere condolences to you all. I remember Dale for his fun-loving spirit, a kind friend to me, and great athleticism. Here is a group of photos of us 4 that hung out together, Dale, Jimmy Thornton, Greg Gia, and Sharon Rolland. I’d also like to mention, when I met your mama, Desiree, I loved her name so much that many years later I named my daughter after her! ❤️

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Teresa Way

Michael Kinane

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Teresa Way

Great photos of you all! Great photos of you all! Great photos of you all!

Kelly Scharpf

Wow you did? I had no idea there was another named after her. Her name is beautiful! Love these photos from... Read more Wow you did? I had no idea there was another named after her. Her name is beautiful! Love these photos from high school. Thanks... Read more Wow you did? I had no idea there was another named ... Read more

Sharon (Rolland)

Awww, I’m so glad I mentioned that, Kelly! And know your dad touched a lot of our lives ❤️ Awww, I’m so glad I mentioned that, Kelly! And know your dad touched a lot of our lives ❤️ Awww, I’m so glad I mentioned that, Kelly! And know... Read more

Carol Frehse-Shill

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jerry dutton

Remembering all the good times we had camping. All the time he spent training our son Jerry with Kennedy's High School Wrestling Team, and we never let dust settle on our whiskey bottles. We did some crazy things and had some crazy times. I will miss you Dale.

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Kelly Scharpf

Keri Nelson

Michael Kinane

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Mike Hessing

1976, West High School Wrestling

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Carol Frehse-Shill

Sharon (Rolland)

Teresa Way

Kelly Scharpf

Keri Nelson

Michael Kinane

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Carl Gagey

2021, Seattle, WA, USA

Dale Fitch…the memories and stories are innumerable. I met Dale when I was 4 years old. Dale was in Des’ class. Des was my oldest sister who ended up marrying Dale. That is a separate memory.
The first time I met Dale, my mom was a parent chaperone for a field trip. My mom took me along. We either went to the Seattle Locks or the state capitol in Olympia. I went on both field trips that year with Des and Dale’s class.
The memories begin there. Over the next few years, Dale interacted with our family and went “steady” with Des in Junior High. Dale and the Fitch family relocated to the LA area due to Bob Fitch’s assignment with Western Airlines.
Several years later, I came home from playing football, basketball or baseball to find Dale on our couch in the living room talking to Des. Des and Dale were reminiscing and getting back in the groove. Little did I know that Dale would move back, court Des and marry her. It was the beginning of the discipline period to make me a man.
Dale was instrumental along with my other brother-in-law Kim in making me a better person. There were several instances where I crossed the line and had to be corrected. Dale’s method was corporal in nature where Dewey (Kim) attempted logic. Trust me, I wanted neither to physically correct me. Dale could tie me in knots and pound me. Dewey could treat me like a hockey opponent and knock the crap out of me.
So, I survived and graduated from high school. At my graduation dinner, I learned that the family had bet amongst themselves I would not graduate. The bets continued as I attended college. Would I graduate from college? Would I make it to 21 years of age? Would I be alive each year? I was a hellion on a jet (not wheels) and lived life for the moment if not the second.
During college and afterwards, there were many humorous events.
I was fortunate to go boat camping with Dale, Des and the kids. This extended to his second marriage as well. We had great times. Dale and Des taught me to water ski better. Dale’s goal with the intertube was to pay me back for being a hellion. Little did he know that I was a clinging entity to that intertube and surprised him many times. The first time I held on and rolled through the whip at 50 mph plus, he was impressed. I beat myself up to prove a point. Several dozens of times over the years.
We played hard on that boat. Many of my best life memories were on that boat. Seafair in Seattle, boat camping, hanging out on the water – just awesome! We used to go out with just the two of us, and in need of a spotter in Seattle, we would approach complete strangers and ask if they would spot. Single women on the docks or beach would look at us as psychopaths. Nope, just two guys looking to ski and tube with no water police interference. We would take them on the boat, do our thing and drop them off. The looks they gave us when we dropped them off were priceless. “You guys were serious!”
One time, Darren (my Best friend), Dale and I were intertubing late on a summer evening between Mercer Island and the boat launch at Rainier Beach. We spotted a large boat with a party going on. Dale told me to get on the tube and we would give them a show. We raced towards the large boat, Dale whipped me, and I skipped like my nickname across the water. Darren and Dale were howling with laughter, the people on the boat were going crazy and I floated in my vest like a stunned idiot. Dale and Darren came back and said do it again. So, we raced away, I’m recovering on the tube and Dale takes the turn nice and easy as he realized I was still recovering. We flew back towards the boat. Dale s-turned the boat. I flew and skipped farther than before. The party boat cheered, Dale and Darren howled with laughter. When they came back to pick me up, I was literally floating in my vest. “Skippy, you alive!”
Darren hauled me into the boat. We commenced to picking up lots of thrown beers from the party boat. Dale, Darren and I spent the rest of the evening laughing at me and drinking beer.
I learned to play backgammon in high school. One New Year’s party, Dale and Zeke were playing backgammon using the doubling dice. They were playing for a dollar a point. I observed and feigned being clueless. When they completed their match, I asked if I could play. Dale instructed me on the basics of backgammon and the doubling dice. I agreed to play and off we went. I rolled the doubling dice and it came up 16. So, every point was worth $16 if you lost. Needless to say, I double backgammoned Dale. Dale asked to play for double or nothing. Rolled the doubling dice. It came up 16 again. Short ending, I double backgammoned Fitch again.
I have a ton of memories like this. Humorous and full of love. Dale helped shape me into the father I became. During a January visit three years ago, I told him about his influence on me and the success I had with my four sons. I credited Dale and Dewey with that. He smiled and just shook his head. Dale’s nephews are intelligent, smart (and asses) and remind me of Dale at times. You can see the direct influence.

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Kelly Scharpf

Keri Nelson

Michael Kinane

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Kelly Scharpf

Such great memories! Most I didn't know about, thank you for sharing! I do remember you were amazing on the... Read more Such great memories! Most I didn't know about, thank you for sharing! I do remember you were amazing on the tube! 😊 And you double... Read more Such great memories! Most I didn't know about, thank... Read more

Carl Gagey

Some day soon we should get together with Shelley and I will make your sides hurt with all the stories. Some day soon we should get together with Shelley and I will make your sides hurt with all the stories. Some day soon we should get together with Shelley and... Read more

Carl Gagey

Some day soon we should get together with Shelley and I will make your sides hurt with all the stories. Some day soon we should get together with Shelley and I will make your sides hurt with all the stories. Some day soon we should get together with Shelley and... Read more

Kelly Scharpf

I'd love that so much! I'd love that so much! I'd love that so much!

Mike Hessing

My Condolences to the family on the passing of my old friend, Dale. He was an amazing wrestler and it was an honor to have been on the team with him for 4 years. I will always remember is smile..it would light up all those he encountered. Rest In Peace Dale...I will never forget you.
Mike Hessing - West High class of 1976

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Carol Frehse-Shill

Sharon (Rolland)

Kelly Scharpf

Keri Nelson

Michael Kinane

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Keri Nelson

Thank you Mike. Wow looking at that photo names came rushing back even though I was only 8 or 9 when this... Read more Thank you Mike. Wow looking at that photo names came rushing back even though I was only 8 or 9 when this was taken. So many ... Read more Thank you Mike. Wow looking at that photo names came... Read more

Carol Frehse-Shill

My condolences to the family of Dale. It has been years since I've seen Dale but I have many happy memories... Read more My condolences to the family of Dale. It has been years since I've seen Dale but I have many happy memories of this wrestling... Read more My condolences to the family of Dale. It has been ... Read more

Erica Torrance

I'm so sorry to hear of Dale's passing. I knew him through my cousin Jerry Dutton. Dale was one of the nicest men I've ever met. We always had a great time when we were with him and shared a lot of laughs. Our family will miss him tremendously. Rest in peace dale.

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Michael Kinane

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Holly Kane

So sorry for the loss of dear Dale. I see his beautiful spirit shining through the pictures posted here. May the memories you share of him bring peace, and loving thoughts, always. 💜

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Keri Nelson

Michael Kinane

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Amy Lozano

Washington, USA

Shane and I were camping and Dale and Bryon drove on in and enjoyed the day with us. Dale always enjoyed coming to my house and having game nights with Shane and my kids. He was always quite the handyman and taught me so much about how to fix and maintain my house as a single mom. He was always fun to be around and I will miss his jokes and wisdom💜

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Kelly Scharpf

Keri Nelson

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Dale Lee Fitch

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