- Date Of Birth: February 9, 1935
- Date Of Death: January 9, 2021
- State: Texas
Dale Gary West, 85, of Boerne, Texas, passed away on January 9, 2021.
Dale was born on February 9, 1935, in Woodward, Texas, to Joe C. and Jozie Oakes West. In the 1940’s, the family moved to Cotulla, Texas. Growing up, Dale and his siblings spent a great amount of time working on the family farm, which instilled in him a strong work ethic. Dale graduated from Cotulla High School in May 1953 where he was active in Future Farmers of America and excelled in athletics. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in May 1957 from Texas A&M, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and lettered as a catcher on the baseball team as a freshman. Upon graduation, he was awarded Distinguished Military Student and Distinguished Military Graduate honors.
Following college, Dale was commissioned to the United States Air Force. Dale’s pilot assignment was delayed for one year, so he moved to Carrizo Springs, Texas, to be an assistant football coach and history teacher at the high school. There he met the love of his life, Grace Butler, and they married one year later.
Upon entering the Air Force in June, 1958, Dale was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, then was transferred to Malden Air Base in Malden, Missouri, where he underwent basic pilot training in T-28’s. Dale continued to fly for the majority of his Air Force career, logging 4300 hours of flight in B-47, T-37, A-37 and T-38 aircraft. He completed 200 combat missions in South Vietnam between 1970-1971 when he was an advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force at Da Nang Air Base. His military honors and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; the Air Medal with Ten Oak Leaf Clusters; the Combat Readiness Medal; and, the Vietnam Service Medal.
Dale’s additional schooling included Advanced Pilot Training in Big Spring Texas, Squadron Officer’s School in December 1961 and Pilot Instructor Course in August 1971. In May 1976, he earned his Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance from Troy State University and also graduated from Air War College at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base. Following a three-year term as ROTC Commandant at East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, he retired after 21 years of military service. The family then moved to Boerne, Texas, and Dale began a second career as a real estate broker, specializing in farm and ranch properties. Dale received his Master Farm and Land Appraiser Certification in 1986. He was an active member of the San Antonio Board of Realtors Farm and Land Committee and was a charter member of the Texas Land Brokers Association and was an Accredited Buyer Representative. While Dale earned numerous top sales awards, his love for showing property was due to his deep appreciation for God’s creation and developing life-long friendships with his customers.
Dale and Grace were blessed to be married for 62 ½ years and were active members of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Dale’s passions included gardening with his amazing green thumb, taking care of the deer and his favorite dog, Sugar, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. He was the embodiment of service to God, family and country.
Dale is survived by his wife, Grace, of Boerne; brother Milton R. West (Mary Ane); sister Mary Lee West-Manuel (Charlie); sister-in-law Carolyn West; son Joel D. West (Stephanie) and grandchildren Connor West and Camille West; daughter Tamara L. Currie (Randy) and grandchildren Amber Rivera (Christian) and Grant Currie (Nhi); daughter Lisa W. Garner (Porter III) and grandchildren Claire Garner, Callie Garner, and Porter Garner IV; nieces and nephews, Sherry Gonzalez, Ken West, Tim West, April West, Jeremy West, and Cristyn Park; and great-grandchildren, Bela and Logan.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Jozie West, and brothers, Robby West and Joe Earl West.
