Funeral Mass
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church-
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16075 N Evans Rd
Selma, Texas 78154 -
The Divine Mercy will be prayed at 10:30AM and the Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00AM
1937
Dale
2018
Dale Miller
January 17, 1937 — May 1, 2018
Dale E. Miller, age 81, CMSGT, Retired, met his Savior and Friend, May 1, 2018, passing away in his home in Schertz, TX, with his loving and devoted wife Jan whispering in his ear and singing "You Are My Sunshine" with great love and gratitude for their precious life together. He entered into perfect healing after his fierce battle with metastasized lung cancer, advanced COPD, and heart disease for which he was 100% disabled as a Vietnam Veteran. Dale was born in J.C. and Neva Nell Miller's home on a small farm near Mt. Hermon, Louisiana, joining older sister Mavis whom he adored and yet teased mercilessly. At age 8, he was learned to plow with the power of a "real" horse pulling him along and helped pick cotton. The family eventually settled in Franklinton, LA, where he worked several odd jobs such as shining shoes and sweeping store fronts starting at age 12 until he graduated from high school. He also helped his Dad who became his buddy and when he was old enough to drive, his Dad bought him a white 1942 Ford Sedan and they would drag race on a straight stretch of highway. His Mom nurtured him tenderly and woke him gently each day with coffee in bed when he was a teen. He likes to tell about fishing in the Bogue Chitta River wearing a revolver to shoot the poisonous snakes. At his parents' insistence he enrolled in college but one semester proved to them that he would be better off following his dream of joining the Air Force! A bit of a rascal as a child, he settled down somewhat and eagerly began what would be a 33 year career. There he found his drive and ambition serving his country in many different assignments, retiring as Superintendent of the CBPO at Randolph AFB. Along the way he received many commendations but honestly did not care for the ceremonies involved, finding his satisfaction in simply knowing he performed a job well-done. On the side, he held other part-time jobs to provide the best he could for his family of Glee and their 2 children, Warren and Molly. If possible, he would have moved the moon and the stars for his children. He made many lasting friends along the way from both Air Force and church community whose friendship has been so uplifting in his time of trial. Just to witness his life, it could be described as love...of God, country and family and friends... and service to all. Upon retirement, he spent a couple months lazing by a pool until now Monsignor Patrick Cronin called him, desperately in need of a business manager at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Selma. With his personnel experience and business degrees (yes, he did go to college after all), it was a good fit for about 8 years. His office was in a small room in the back of the old rectory. Dale not only handled business but was a jack-of-all trades and loved interacting with the teachers and children in the school. Later he moved on to another career in the automobile industry, selling at first, but he really did shine in customer service at Gunn Chevrolet and later the business office. He retired from there only 3 years ago when health issues became too difficult. Although he answered an altar call at age 13 in a Baptist Church, his most fulfilling spiritual life began with conversion to Catholicism in Vietnam. A revitalization of his faith occurred through the Cursillo Movement in 1980 and it grew through the ACTS Retreats at OLPH. In 1986 Dale served on the very first men's ACTS team and several retreats thereafter, starting on the kitchen crew and ending on the music team, strumming and singing his favorite songs, a very joyful and spiritual time in his life! His interests were many but he especially loved reading, music, surf fishing, gardening, visiting family, learning to two-step with his wife Jan, playing cards, casinos - and he was a winner-but he always felt the luckiest for his life having crossed paths with someone who would always be his sweetheart, best friend, prayer partner and partner in all things for nearly 20 years, his adored wife Jan. This love remains so strong, that nothing can break their bond, truly a forever love. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, twin sisters who died shortly after birth, sister Mavis, and his dear son Warren. He is survived by cherished wife Jan; precious daughter Molly (Craig) Kovarik; stepson and great friend Nathan (Amy) Pritchard; four grandchildren and two great grandsons; special cousin Reba Jean (Jimmy) Fisher and Ronald and Kenny Pope; his wife's siblings and spouses into whose lives he was so warmly welcomed; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his church community, his neighborhood, his Wednesday morning breakfast group, and many other dear friends. Funeral services begin at 10:30 A.M. at OLPH, Selma, on Wednesday May 9. Interment immediately follows at the church cemetery and the celebration of his life will continue at a reception in the Pastoral Center. Thank you isn't enough to express his extreme appreciation for all who supported him and prayed for him on his journey to eternal life. The family would also like to extend a special word of appreciation for the wonderful care he received from the staff at BAMC and Embrace Hospice.
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