Dale Fawcett

Dale Laverne Fawcett, 79, of Alamo, TX, and formerly of Ree Heights, SD, died January 2, 2017 in the Gentiva Hospice, Harlingen, TX, due to a stroke.

A Celebration of the Life of Dale Fawcett was held Saturday, January 14th, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Miller, South Dakota, with Pastor Calvin Jones officiating. Dale’s favorite refreshments of ice cream and chocolate chip cookies will be served. Inurnment will be at Morningside Cemetery, Ree Heights, in the spring.

Born in Miller, SD on August 12, 1937, Dale was the fourth of six children born to Edwin and Ada (Benson) Fawcett of Ree Heights, SD. Dale attended grade school in Ree Heights, graduated from Ree Heights High School in 1957, and from S.D. State College at Brookings with a major in Agriculture in 1961.

A rancher, farmer, athlete, Army National Guardsman, Ag teacher and FFA advisor, gardener, trapper, beekeeper, welder, mechanic, plumber, private pilot, school board member, carpenter, pioneer computer expert and teacher; Dale was always busy.

Dale married A. Kay Kelly, his high school sweetheart on August 4, 1957 at the Ree Heights Congregational Church. They divorced in September 2004.

Dale met Betty Rumbaugh on the dance floor at Alamo Palms RV Park. They were married in Spearfish, SD on June 23, 2006.

Dale’s hobbies included boating, fishing, flying his paraplane, dancing, shuffleboard and photography. Dale was especially humored by editing photos. One of his projects involved modifying a family photo by swapping the heads of the family members.

He is fondly remembered for his big, white toothed-smile and his love of visiting with people.

Dale is survived by his wife, Betty Fawcett, of Alamo, TX, and his children: Candice (Dean) Lockner of Ree Heights, SD, Jeffrey (Deb Woods) Fawcett of Tempe, AZ, Michael (Mierra) Fawcett of Sioux City, IA, and Michelle (Anne Trumbull) Fawcett of Florissant, CO. Grandchildren: Brooke (Jeff) Runyan, Lindsay (Daniel) Palmer, Lara (Allen) Jones, Grant (Laura) Lockner, Nicole (Arlen) Gortmaker, Kristen (Matt) Krieger, Kelly (Sam) Felix, Lacey (Tyrel) Ellsworth, Colton Fawcett, Josiah Fawcett, Candice (Harold) McGrogan, David Fawcett, Sarah Fawcett, and Hope Fawcett. Great-grandchildren: Chantelle and Savannah Runyan, Fox Palmer, Alaya and Eli Lockner, Caden, Isaiah, Alexandria and Asher Gortmaker, Jackson, Alex and Kaitlyn Krieger, Isabella and Emma Felix, Brooklyn Ellsworth, Arowyn McGrogan, Domanic and Gwendolyn Thomas. Siblings: Eleanor (Don) Steptoe, Harland (Carole) Fawcett, Rodney (Rose) Fawcett, Donald (Marlys) Fawcett and sister-in-law, Helen Fawcett.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Ada Fawcett, and eldest brother, Wayne

In lieu of flowers, memorial funds in memory of Dale will provide free advanced health care directives and hospice care: http://www.gentivahospicefoundation.org/Donate.asp