Dale Wayne Fickle, 71, a longtime resident of Culbertson, passed away early Saturday morning, October 31, 2020 at his home in Culbertson. He was born to Charles William and Ruth Ann (Meyer) Fickle on December 7, 1948 in McCook, Nebraska. Dale attended school in Culbertson where he graduated from high school. After high school he began his career with the United States Navy.
Dale took the time to share his military experiences. “I served as a hospital corpsman assigned to the Marine Corps for the majority of my naval career. While serving with the 2nd BN and MARDIV BLT, we entered Vietnam on several occasions. We provided medical care and support as MEDCAP unit. After my duties with 2/4 BLT, I was transferred to Naskapi Point in the Philippine Islands. I was in the Vietnam theater when the refugees arrived and were quarantined; and assisted supervising the evacuation of the sick and wounded in Operation New Life. My main duties as a corpsman were to provide medical care to the sick and injured Marines and Navy personnel. Upon my return from my overseas tours, our family lived in South Bend, Indiana, San Clemente, California, Gulfport Mississippi then back to California where I retired after 24 years of active duty and then six years as a ready reserve.”
Dale met and married his wife, Virginia Kelley, while stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1972. Together, they raised their two daughters, Tammy Jo and Stacey. He led his family on many adventures camping and assisting the girls in restoring their first cars, along with his classic 1948 Chevy pickup. Dale was a motorcycle enthusiast and he and Virginia rode all over the country with the clubs they belonged to and also rode with the Run For The Wall Vietnam Veterans from Pomona, California to Washington DC. The family moved to Culbertson, Nebraska in 2002, where they reside, today.
In October of 2019, Dale participated in the Hall County Hero Flight and had the opportunity of a lifetime: to be a part of placing the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. He was so honored to be selected and enjoyed the ceremony with so much pride.
Dale’s charity work included participating in dressing up as Santa Claus for fundraisers collecting toys for Toys for Tots and the McCook Toy Box. He loved his family and treasured each friendship he made along his life. We have lost a kind, compassionate and devoted husband and father, a loyal friend and fiercely patriotic American. He will live in our hearts forever.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia Fickle of Culbertson, NE and formerly of Vista, California; daughter, Tamara Joanne Fickle and significant other, Francis Purcell, of Escondido, California; daughter, Stacey Michelle Fickle-Ellington of Culbertson; sister, LeAnne Frick and husband, Elmer, of McCook; brother, James Harley Fickle and wife, Kathy, of Missouri; brother, Charles Richard Fickle of McCook; brother-in-law, Martin Kelley and wife, Estella, of Bellflower, California ; sister-in-law, Kathleen Leroy and husband, Hubert, of Surprise, Arizona; as well and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. (CT), Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson, NE with Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Interment will follow services in the Culbertson Cemetery with full Military Honors. Visitation will be held Friday, November 6, 2020 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. (CT) at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE. Memorials are suggested to the McCook Humane Society in Dale's name. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE is entrusted with arrangements.