Mr. Eugene "Gene" Dale, 91, of Escatawpa passed into a better life on Sunday, June 7, 2020. He was born in May of 1929 in Pascagoula, MS., to his parents, Arthur and Celestine Dale. He was married to his one and only love, Margie Lopez of Escatawpa for 58 years until her passing in 2012.
Gene enjoyed farming in his early homesteading years, carpentry, planting trees and flowers, fishing, bird watching, feeding, and providing a habitat for all wildlife. And most of all, cooking and providing for his family. He was the type of person that always enjoyed doing things, especially cooking big meals for his family on holidays and weekends. He always had to be moving and doing something, even when his wheelchair was the only way he could move for the last 7 years of his life.
As a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Gene went to work at an early age to help support his mother and siblings after his father died in 1938. During WWII he worked as a bicycle messenger for the Western Union delivering telegrams all over Pascagoula. He also worked for several local repair shops and manufacturing companies.
After graduating from Pascagoula High School, he was called to serve his country in The Korean Conflict in the years 1950-1953. After reaching the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army, he ended his service and returned to Pascagoula where he joined the workforce at Ingalls Shipbuilding. He proudly worked for Ingalls for 39 years and retired in 1992. He was truly a devoted family man who happily shared the home that he built by himself in 1955.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Margie Lopez Dale, 6 siblings, Elsie Tillman, Aileen Newman, Hellen Sellars, Bernice Thompson, Donald Dale, and Lionel Dale.
Gene is survived by his four sons, The "twins", Mike Dale and Steve Dale, Nathan Dale, and Gary Dale. Grandchildren, Mike Dale, Steve Dale, Kimberly Dale, Laura Morris. Great-grandchildren, twins, Jude Dale, and Logan Dale.
He will surely be missed by his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives, as well as his cats, Pete, and Rosie, along with wild creatures he protected and fed daily.
Graveside Services will be held Friday, June 12, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., at Machpelah Cemetery, Pascagoula, MS.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic Social distancing is required.
You may sign the online register book and send condolences to the Dale family by visiting our website at www.holderwellsfuneralhome.com
Holder-Wells Funeral Home, 4007 Main St., Moss Point, Mississippi, is in charge of arrangements.