Thomas Lanier Dale

Thomas Lanier Dale, better known as Tommy, Daddy, Papa, and Pop, was born 74 years ago on November 9, 1943 and left this world to sit at the feet of his personal Lord and Savior in Heaven on April 1, 2018 while a patient at Northeast Georgia Medical Center due to complications following open heart surgery.  He was a lifelong resident of Gainesville, Georgia.

Tommy loved hunting, fishing, singing, and dancing.  Though he had the pleasure of many hunting and fishing buddies over the years whom he loved like brothers, he would quickly tell anyone how much he loved taking his grandchildren into the woods and out onto the water.  They were his favorite adventure buddies. Before his first open heart surgery, he surprised the surgeon by saying he wasn’t sure he wanted the surgery because of his doubts of ever being able to hunt and fish again.  Life just wouldn’t be worth living without the fun brought into his life while tramping through fields and drowning worms. His home was always full of singing, even early on Saturday mornings when his children in their teens would have preferred to sleep.  He had a little ditty for every situation.  Once upon a time, he also sang with the gospel quartet, the Gospel Echoes, as well as in church choir.  He was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice.  He loved Elvis and wanted a pair of blue suede shoes but traded that desire for a black leather sword leading many people, including his family, to the Lord.   He sure could cut a rug.  Those not from this area would call it dancing, but it was more than that.  His joy as he whirled around a dance floor or a small kitchen was contagious even if he was only buck dancing.  He delighted in using his skill to utterly embarrass his children when they were young.  His wife could barely keep up but laughed and tried. 

Tommy was beloved by all who knew him.  He loved to laugh and make others laugh.  He always had a good joke or one liner to cause all in ear shot to chuckle and sometimes guffaw.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved family and drew others into his circle to love as though they were family.  His departure from this life has left an unfillable hole in the lives of those who knew him, but they rejoice in the knowledge that he is up on High with a glorified body that will never fail him.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, William and Carolyn Dale, and his brother, Richard Dale.  He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sherry Dale, his son and daughter-in-love, Kevin and Abby Dale, daughter and son-in-love, Jeff and Kellie Stewart, daughter, Kortney Pearce. He is also survived by his grandchildren Chad and Whitney Crawford, Will and Tiffany Dale, Shane and MacKenzie Brown, Cason Stewart, Jantzen Stewart, Adelaide Stewart, Sawyer Stewart, and Jackson Pearce.  He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren: Branson Crawford, Blaine Crawford, Brady Crawford, Callie Dale, and June Brown.  He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Bobby and Jane Cantrell, and brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Diane Dale, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Johnny and Linda Brookshire.  He loved his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 5pm until 8pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville.  The body will lie in state at Calvary Baptist Church, 1376 Calvary Church Road, Gainesville, Wednesday, April 4 from 10:30 until 11am with the funeral service at 11am.  Rev. Raymond Latty and Rev. Grady White will officiate. Interment will follow in Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com