John L. Dale Sr.

John L. Dale, Sr., 80, passed away in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Known as “Papa John” to his grandkids, he was born September 24, 1943, in Hattiesburg, MS to James “Jack” Pendleton Dale and Sue Belle Dale. He moved to Sylvania in May 2023 after living 21 years in the Cincinnati area. John graduated with a BS of Chemical Engineering from the University of Mississippi and his Masters of Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University. He worked at Procter & Gamble for 25 years in numerous engineering positions, after which he earned a CPA and worked in accounting for three years. John received a US patent while working for Procter & Gamble. He attended college on a ROTC scholarship and served four years in active duty in the US Navy, graduated flight school as a Naval Aviator where he flew T-28, T-34, P-2 and P-3 aircraft in addition to achieving carrier certification. He served in FL, TX, Italy, Japan, and Spain. Flying was a passion for John. He remained in the Naval Reserve for 16 years and earned a Commander rank. John loved boating, with lake weekends, house boating and waterskiing playing a huge part of raising his two boys, John and Andy. He enjoyed symphony performances, sunsets, constellations and a glass of wine. He and his wife, Ginny, could frequently be found on the sidelines of their grandchildren’s soccer, football, volleyball, diving, lacrosse, swimming and water polo matches. They loved taking their grandchildren (without their parents) on trips out west, including Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the Oregon coast. In later life, John and Ginny enjoyed cruising and travelling in the Caribbean and Europe, bringing the entire family (children and grandchildren) to warm, sunny beaches. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Virginia Davis Dale; sons, John (Niki) and Andy (Bethany); grandchildren, Sam, Matthew, Avery, Sadie and Kacie; siblings, Joe Dale and Penny Mangus; and brother-in-law, Allen Hughes. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, James Dale. A Celebration of Life will be held in 2024, details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity.

John L. Dale Sr.

September 24, 1943 - November 21, 2023