John Wesley Dale, MD

John Wesley Dale, MD went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 22, 2014, and is now reunited with both loved ones and friends in his eternal home.John was born May 4, 1937 in Falfurrias, Texas, to Albert William and Leota Hartshorn Dale. John spent his younger years helping his father operate the family dairy and citrus business in Falfurrias. During his high school years, he developed into a proficient horseman and knowledgeable cattleman. He sang in the church choir, was a disc jockey at the local radio station, and worked briefly for the railroad. After graduation from high school, John attended Texas A&I University, Kingsville where he studied music. He next entered the University of Texas at Austin and completed the prerequisites for medical school. John attended medical school at Baylor University College of Medicine in Houston and graduated in 1963. After completing his internship at Ben Taub Hospital Houston in 1964, Dr. Dale received a commission in the United States Army. Captain Dale was assigned as a Flight Surgeon for the 1st Cavalry Division, Air Mobile and was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia. During this assignment, he served for ten months in Viet Nam where his unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their role in the Battle of Ia Drang Valley, the first unit to receive such in the war. Major Dale next completed a three year tour in Germany where he ultimately served as the Flight Surgeon, Headquarters U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army Airfield Heidelberg, West Germany. Major Dale left the Army in 1969 and began a residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Galveston. Immediately following his residency, he completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 1973 also at UTMB Galveston. Dr. Dale applied his skills in a wide variety of roles over the next thirty five years including a private psychiatry practice and positions at Northwest Medical Center Hospital, Laurelwood Hospital, Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital,and Gulf Pines Hospital. Most recently he served as Medical Director, Psychiatry and Chief of Staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center Hospital. Dr. Dale was passionate about his work and was devoted to his many patients. He retired from medicine in 2012 in order to dote full time on his loving wife Cathie. John loved to travel and was a snow skiing enthusiast, an accomplished mariner who earned his Captain's license, and an avid offshore fisherman. John had an irrepressible zest for life that saw him, and everyone who was fortunate enough to be with him at the time, through many memorable adventures. He is survived by his wife Cathie Argo Dale; his children, Summer Dale (Kurt) Goebel of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Dana Dale (Mark) Bradley of Piedmont, Oklahoma, Jamie Lynn (Erik) Abrams of Houston, and Philip (Lisa) Wathen of Humble. He is also survived by grandchildren Jackson and Kyle Goebel, Kyra and Katy Bradley, Hudson and Henry Abrams, and Gavin Wathen; beloved niece, nephews, and sister-in-law; and faithful canine companions Rocky and Chloe. Dr. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Albert W. Dale, Jr. of Odessa; and his sister, Elizabeth Dale (Thigpen) Tarr of Harlingen. Dr. Dale will be interred at the Houston National Cemetery following a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Sooner Chapter, 3908 N. Peniel Ave., Suite 330, Bethany, Oklahoma, 73008.