Perry Dale Jr.

Perry is survived by his wife, Donna Lampley Dale, daughters Debby Dale Mason and Melissa Thompson (Mark), grandchildren Perry Dale IV and Kate Thompson, and great grandson, Perry Dale V. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alberta and Perry Dale, Sr., and his son, Perry Dale III.

Perry attended Isaac Litton High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1950 where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. His high school and college ties led to lifelong friendships that endured throughout his life. For the next 57 years, he was in the food brokerage and manufacturing business at Dale’s Fine Foods, commercial and residential real estate and investments, and in entertainment at The Cannery. He retired for the second and last time in 2007.

Perry was known for the trademark hats he wore and his gentlemanly demeanor. He had a great love for history, maps, and land that was born out of his family’s deep ties to Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The Dalewood neighborhood was named after his family and their farm on Maxey Lane. His father grew up in Livingston, TN, and Dale Hollow Lake was named after his family as well. He loved the historic buildings that his family owned - GranDale on Murfreesboro Road - and 112 Second Avenue North – home of Dale’s Fine Foods – before they moved to the historic Fletcher Wilson Coffee Company building on Palmer Place. They later renovated that building and opened it as The Cannery. Perry instilled this love for history with his family and he could regale family and friends alike with stories about Nashville’s past.

Perry’s love of history was equaled by his love of sports. He played baseball and softball in his earlier years, followed by tennis and golf in his later life.

He was a member of the Nashville Junior Chamber of Commerce, a longtime member of Richland Country Club and the National Commodore Club. Perry’s love of the Vanderbilt Commodores was well known among friends and family. He was a basketball and football season ticket holder for over 40 years and an ever-faithful fan.

Perry cherished his role as Grannanny and Gey to his grandchildren. His family is grateful that he was able to spend time with his 6-month old great grandson, Perry Dale V.

He will be missed by those who loved him and called him a friend.

Pallbearers will be Perry Dale IV, John Fussell, Lou Graham, Dennis Lampley, Dwight Lampley and Mark Thompson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Chase, Jon Dohotariu, Sam and Kay Koch Ferrise, Dr. Fred and Mary Lovelace, Joe and Anne Maddux, Henry and Sue McCall, Dr. Warren and Beverly McPherson, Mary Ann Moore, Jimmy Morrissey, Steve and Tina Rogers and Axson West.

Visitation with the Dale family will be on Tuesday, June 19th from 4 until 7 p.m. and on Wednesday, June 20th from 10 until 11 a.m. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 20th at 11 a.m. Both the visitation and funeral service will be held at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association - Mid South Chapter, 478 Craighead St., Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37204 or the charity of your choice.