CHICOPEE – Dale A. Jackson, 76, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, July 9, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life from his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island on August 14, 1935, a beloved son of the late James Arthur Jackson, Jr. and Norma Gertrude (Kenyon) Jackson. He was raised in South Kingstown and at the age of 17 enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired on April 9, 1968 with the rank of Technical Sergeant from the 99th Combat Support Group at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee. Following his military service, he settled in the Fairview section of Chicopee and was employed as a machinist at B. F. Perkins in Chicopee and retired in 1997. During his leisure time, Dale enjoyed woodworking and tending to his amazing flower garden. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by: his dear brother, James; his dear sister; June; and his devoted wife and best friend of nearly 39 years, Inger Dent (Rasmussen) Jackson, who was Called Home on March 16, 2007. He leaves: his devoted children, John A. Dent and his wife, Michelle, of South Hadley; Anna M. Laing and her husband, Steve, of Chicopee; Henry R. Dent, III and his wife, Lori, of Ludlow; James M. Dent and his wife, Mary, of Chicopee; Connie Jackson of Chicopee; and Arthur J. Jackson and his wife, Jessica, of South Hadley. He also leaves: his 15 cherished grandchildren; his three cherished great grandchildren; and several dear nephews and nieces. Private visiting hours will be held for his family with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force. There are no public visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199.