Thomas Dale Burford

Thomas Dale Burford, 66 of Waynesboro, passed away on 10-31-2024 at his home surrounded by family. Dale was born in Waynesboro to Thomas and Dorothy Harris Burford on 10-1-1958. He graduated from Stuarts Draft High School in 1976. He married his high school sweetheart, Gail Grove, on 1-5-80 in Waynesboro. He attended Ferrum College. Dale retired from Hershey Chocolate having worked for 35 years in production, but his most loved job was working, as a younger man, with his father-in-law Carroll Grove on the family farm. He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church. He was a three-sport athlete, a member of the 1976 SDHS state champion baseball team, and was inducted into the SDHS Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. He was a long-time coach in the community for youth baseball, basketball, and girls’ softball including coaching the 2001 13-yr old Augusta County Babe Ruth Allstar team to an appearance in the World Series. He passionately followed both of his children’s sports endeavors at the youth, travel, and college levels. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying time with his golf and hunting buddies. His grandchildren and his dog Doli were among his greatest joys. Dale is preceded in death by his grandparents, Naomi Burford, Russell and Louise Harris; his Uncles, Ronnie Harris and John Burford (Ramona); and his mother, Dorothy Burford. Dale is survived by his wife of 44 years Gail Grove Burford; son, Kenton Thomas Burford (Amanda Belew); daughter Erin Elizabeth Burford; brothers, Doug Burford (Beverly), David Burford (Debbie Weaver); father Thomas F. Burford; his grandchildren, Ainslee Cote, Chesney Burford and Thomas Windsor; as well as his father and mother-in-law, Carroll and Judy Grove; sister-in-law, Lynne Grove McGovern (JJ); an uncle/aunt (Donnie/Becky Harris); nieces, nephew and great nieces/nephews. A celebration of life service will be conducted on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Calvary United Methodist Church, Stuarts Draft with Pastor David Vaughan officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 1870 Stuarts Draft Highway, Stuarts Draft. Memorials may be given to the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad. The family of Dale Burford wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staffs of UVA Health Cancer Center, and Medi Home Hospice for their devoted care and support. Special thank you for the love, care and unending support of family, friends and neighbors. Arrangements entrusted to the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com