James "Jim" J. Dale

Wetmore

James “Jim” John Dale, age 82, of Wetmore, died Opening Day, Sunday, November 15, 2020 at Harbour View surrounded by his family.  He was born January 31, 1938 to the late Arthur and Katherine (Twork) Dale.  Jim was active high school sports and was named football MVP his senior year.  He graduated from Wm. G. Mather in 1956.  Jim worked for a couple of years with the railroad and tended bar at the Dogpatch.  He entered into the U.S. Army and was a mobile artilleryman and was honorably discharged as a Corporal.  Jim married Sandra “Sandy” Crandall on December 7, 1968 and together they raised their two daughters.  His love for sports continued after school and he played for Harry’s Oilers basketball and Bushel Basket softball teams.  Jim umpired for many years after he was done playing.  He worked for the State of Michigan for many years as a soil density technician, retiring in 1999.  Jim loved the outdoors, working in his garden, brook trout fishing, hunting rabbits, deer, and partridge, and going to deer camp every year.  Jim enjoyed sharing his stories from his hunting trips out west to Colorado elk hunting and South Dakota hunting buffalo. He was an avid Detroit sports fan and enjoyed watching his teams on T.V. as well as watching western movies and T.V. shows.  Jim loved his grandchildren and cherished spending time with Ryan in the woods traveling to see the twins in Wisconsin and trips out to camp in the summer.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law – Carmen and Ken Baker of Sheboygan, WI; son-in-law – Al Graves of Munising; grandchildren – USMC Captain Ryan Graves of MCAS New River, NC, and Brady and Peyton Baker of Sheboygan; siblings – Bill (Pat) Dale of Munising, Delores Parker of Marquette, and Dorothy (Charlie) Vartti of Wetmore; sister-in-law – Karen (Tony) Kurth; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents – Arthur and Katherine; wife – Sandy Dale; daughter – Amy Graves; siblings – Theresa Dale, Katherine (Bob) Belmore, Gerry Dale, Florence Dale, Gina (Sam) Macurio, and Carol (Jack) Gatiss; and nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held.