In Memory

Dale Sackett



 
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10/28/08 12:14 PM #1    

Lori Stroup

Inside Bay Area Obituaries Published in the Bay Area News Group publication on 8/23/2008
Dale Leonard Sackett 8 Dec 1929 15 Aug 2008 Former Resident of Livermore Dale was born in Klamath Falls, OR to Edwin and Helen Sackett. He is preceded in death by older brother Oliver and sister Evelyn. He is survived by his brother Robert and wife Marylyn & combination of 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He served in the Navy aboard the USS Montague during the Korean War. He attended Oregon Technical Institute, becoming an expert machinist and was hired by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Dale was a well respected leader for the Boy Scouts. He also climbed Mount Shasta, Yosemite's Half Dome and to the top of Yosemite Falls with his friend Dwight. Dale and Marylyn were married December 3, 1976, took dance lessons and enjoyed many hours dancing with friends. He especially liked the Swing and was especially good at it. They also traveled extensively throughout the United States and enjoyed many cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and the Caribbean. He will be greatly missed by all his many family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please support the American Cancer Society. Leonard has always been a big part of my life. He was a kind, gentle and loving man. He never judged. He was always the first to say "If there is anything I can do for you just ask and I'll be there". You could always count on him. He was never quick to anger, even after he was thrown to the floor when he gave me a self-defense lesson he came up smiling. He was a good teacher. Leonard loved the outdoors and we spent many summer vacations in Montana. He was willing to try anything if it looked fun. He and Mom came to visit Karl and I in Nevada. He wanted to ride the quad and go shoot the rifles. The guys took off and an hour later they were back. Karl was pale and Leonard was rosey cheeked and smiling that big smile of his. Leonard, never having been on a quad before was supposed to stay behind Karl. Apparently Leonard got tired of eating dust, went flying past Karl waving, smiling, loving every minute until......he zigged when he should've zagged, he went over the edge of the ravine and out of sight. You can just imagine the words coming from his mouth. His man the torpedoes, full speed ahead attitude could get him into trouble at times. Except in one area…hanging a picture. As a machinist most of his adult life he would measure once, measure twice, measure three times and so on. This would go on for weeks until the sun, the stars and the moon, were all in perfect alignment - only then the picture might get hung. Great America and water slides turned out to be an annual summer event with the Grandkids, he always wore THEM out. And let's not forget Leonard and Football. You could be outside, down the street and still hear what's going on in the game. And also the home shopping network became his friend or foe depending on how you looked at it. He adored all his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Each time a new one comes along they would melt his heart in an instant. He also loved my brother and me as his own, that showed us both that blood doesn't make a family, love does. But the best thing he did for Bobby and me is the way he loved our Mom. If there could be an example of what a marriage should be, they were it. They loved each other truly, deeply and unconditionally. He always went above and beyond the call of duty to make her happy and took care of her like no other man could. And she did the same for him. They were both truly, truly, happy. After 32 years they still held hands. Not to mention she was spoiled rotten. They also had fun together. Whether it was dinner and dancing at the Elks lodge until the wee hours of the morning, going out with the dance clubs, dancing on cruises or dancing with his granddaughters at their weddings. Yes. Yes, Leonard loved to dance. He had a favorite song - In the Mood. And whenever he heard it, he had to get up and dance. So this one is for you Leonard I know you would approve. Save a dance for me. You will always be in our hearts - we love you. Cathy Douglas Burton Dale Leonard Sackett December 8, 1929 - August 15, 2008 Dale was the second son of Edwin and Helen, born December 8, 1929 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He joined an older brother, Oliver and sister Evelyn. Seven years later, I horned in. The family moved to Missoula, Montana in the fall of 1937. He attended schools in Missoula, graduating from Missoula County High School in 1949. During his teen years, he was very athletic; he played football in high school and became very accomplished at boxing. I remember him whacking his punching bag - he was good at it. He developed great skill in the sport and did exhibition rounds at functions throughout Missoula. In 1950 he joined the US Navy. After basic training and Machinists School he served aboard the USS Montague throughout his four years of service. The ship was assigned to the Pacific Fleet so he spent a lot of time in the Far East - traveling to Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Korea. His naval service was during the Korean War. North and South Korea signed an armistice agreement in 1953. The 38th parallel was declared the demilitarized zone and is the border of both countries today. One of the missions of the USS Montague, Dale recounted, was to rescue Marines that were maneuvering several miles north of the 38th parallel at Shorizi. He said that morale was very low among the Marines because they had fought so hard and lost so many men, but the treaty made them feel that all their efforts had been in vain. The South Korean government presented a medal to Dale, for his Korean service, in a ceremony, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, in Sacramento - it is on display with his United States ribbons and medals on the memory table. Having grown up during WWII and serving our country during the Korean War made Dale a very patriotic American. One of the proudest moments of my life was standing at his side as we were both honored for having served our country at a public event in Palm Springs in November 2005. After discharge from the Navy in 1954, Dale moved back to Klamath Falls to attend Oregon Technical Institute. He became an expert machinist and was hired by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in 1956. He attained the highest possible security clearance during his career which ended with his retirement in 1990. During the 1960’s, Dale was a leader for the Boy Scouts. He taught the boys practical things that he had learned through his own experiences and took them on many camping trips. He was more a friend than leader and was well respected. Also during the 60’s, he got involved in mountain climbing; he climbed Mount Shasta, Yosemite’s Half Dome and to the top of Yosemite Falls with his friend Dwight West. He was a loyal friend to many. There was a group of 6 Missoula lifelong buddies that he stayed in contact with - all of them have preceded him in death. Dale and Marylyn were married December 3, 1976. They have quite a combined family - collectively they have 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. They both love and are very proud of their family. Dale and Marylyn took dancing lessons and enjoyed many hours dancing with friends. He especially liked the Swing and was very good at it. In fact I hear that besides Marylyn, the other ladies kept him on his feet most of every evening. That is why you have heard In the Mood playing here today. He didn’t spend much time relaxing during his retirement years. He worked part-time for several years as a security escort at both Lawrence Livermore and Sandia Laboratories. Because of his high security clearance he was in great demand. He also drove a van for Leisure Manor. He also volunteered to monitor the pool and spa areas for the homeowners association at Camellia Gardens. Dale & Marylyn had a motor home and traveled extensively throughout the United States, particularly along the Gulf Coast, Eastern Seaboard and Midwest. They also enjoyed many cruises to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and the Caribbean. Our parents gave us a solid Christian upbringing. Although our family didn’t follow any one denomination we learned to believe in the words of John 14:1-6 Jesus said, Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. These words strengthen my faith that we will all be together again in Heaven if we trust in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I know this is lengthy. Thank you for your attention. What I have hoped to provide you is an accounting of my brother’s life as he told it to me. He was a man of integrity and strong morale values. In closing and as a tribute to Dale, I want to share a poem by Linda Ellis that is a favorite of his. It is The Dash. The Dash copyright 1996 Linda Ellis I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth... and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; the cars....the house...the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile... remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash... would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash? God bless you and God bless America! Robert Noel Sackett

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