Elmer Dale, 76, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Monday, August 21, 2017, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Thursday, August 24, 2017, at Arbor Baptist Church in Fitzgerald with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 – 8 Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Dale was born June 17, 1941, to the late George Elzie & Louise Dale. He lived in Ben Hill and Irwin counties all of his life and was a 1959 graduate of Fitzgerald High School. He was the manager of the Colonial Store for many years. Mr. Dale worked as head of receiving at Coachmen Industries and later built cabinets on the line. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed gardening. Mr. Dale was a grill master and was known for his ribs. He was an accomplished woodworker and was very proud of the cradle he designed and built for his new great-granddaughter. He enjoyed traveling and had visited several continents. Mr. Dale was an active member of Arbor Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and chaired the board several times. He was a longtime Sunday school teacher in the youth department and had a profound impact on many young men’s lives. He more recently taught in the senior adult department. When his grandson Brandon was younger, Mr. Dale was very active in the RAs ministry and participated in many of their activities.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Laurene Dale of Fitzgerald; a daughter, Kathy & Dan Stanley of Fitzgerald; a grandson, Brandon & Dawn Purvis of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two great-grandchildren, Sammy Hogan and Della Raven Purvis; and two sisters-in-law, Judy Dale of Fitzgerald and Ann Dale of Tifton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Della K. Dale and two brothers: Earl Dale and Don Dale.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to furnish the Charity Sunday School Class or the new education building of Arbor Baptist Church, 1137 N Merrimac Drive Ext., Fitzgerald, GA 31750.