Earl J. Dale, 70, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, September 4, 2014, at his residence.
Graveside services will be held 10 AM, Saturday, September 6, 2014, at Evergreen Cemetery with Elmer Dale officiating. His daughter, Dee Ann Cook, will give the eulogy. The family will receive friends beginning at 9 AM at the funeral home on Saturday morning.
Mr. Dale was born December 21, 1943, in Ben Hill County, Georgia, to the late George Elzie & Louise Dale. A 1962 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, Mr. Dale retired as a conductor from CSX with 39 years of service. He served honorably in the Georgia National Guard. His Unit was activated to help secure the Georgia State Capital following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mr. Dale was a kind and gentle spirit who loved his family and friends in a quiet way. He enjoyed working with his hands and was a gifted woodworker. He remodeled his home and built many pieces of furniture. Mr. Dale was always thankful for the small blessings of life and tried to see the good in all people. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed being outdoors. One of his favorite sayings, and his philosophy of life, was “Don’t worry about it”. Co-workers, family, and friends will cherish his memory.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Judy Davis Dale of Fitzgerald; two daughters: Dee Ann Cook and Dena Snyder, both of Fitzgerald; his grandchildren: Kristin Cook, Elizabeth Cook and her fiancé Chris Quinn, Rob Cook, Emily & Gary Gillie, Jamie Turner, Chad Turner, and Matthew Turner; a great-grandson: Noah Gillie; a brother and sister-in-law: Elmer & Laurene Dale of Fitzgerald and a sister-in-law: Ann Dale of Fitzgerald. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Don Dale.