Dale Eldon Ward

 

Dale Ward
Dale Eldon Ward

Dale Eldon Ward, age 85, of Tonasket died on Saturday June 21, 2014 following many years of heart problems and a stroke in 2002. He was born August 21, 1928, in Eagle City, Oklahoma to parents Harold and Myrtle Ward. He moved with family from Oklahoma to California when he was thirteen. During World War II, when he was 15, he travelled with his father combining wheat in parts of Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

Dale had a paper route and worked at two theaters in Orange County, California. He rode his bicycle, transporting money from one theater to the other. He often remarked “You couldn’t do that today.”

Dale worked for 38 years at Pacific Valve, Inc. in Long Beach, California. On February 12, 1950 he married his wife Pat at the First Methodist Church in Garden Grove, CA. Their daughter Merrie Dale was born in 1951 and she preceded him in death in 1970.

Dale was active in the 20/30 club, served as a coach for ball teams and attended Indian Guides as a father to his two sons, Dennis and Jeff. He was a loving and caring father. In 1984, he and Pat moved to Tonasket where they were busy building their home. They were involved with their grandchildren, Clover and Jay. Dale assisted his wife later when she did Girl Scouts. He would do the laundry while Pat worked with the children and worked at school. When Jeff married Cora in 1997, they acquired two more grandchildren, Mike and Crystal. Dale was a loving and caring grandfather and will be missed by many. He was a member of the Oroville United Methodist Church.

Dale is survived by his wife Pat; sister Jean (Chuck) Gibo of Garden Grove, California; sister-in-law Ginger Ward of Havasu City, Arizona; sons Jeff (Cora) and Dennis of Tonasket; four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, August 30, 2014 11:00 a.m. at the Oroville United Methodist Church with Pastor Leon Alden, officiating. Memorials may be made to Oroville United Methodist Church. Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in care of arrangements.