Robert Alexander "Bob" Dale

Robert Alexander "Bob" Dale, Jr., 79, of Polly St., Morganton, NC died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC following a period of declining health. He was born June 12, 1928 in Burke County, NC, and was a son of the late Robert Alexander Dale, Sr., and Bessie Ross Dale. Bob was a US Navy Veteran of World War II. He served as a police officer for 34 years with the Morganton Department of Public Safety. At the time of his retirement, Bob had achieved the rank of lieutenant. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and an enthusiastic sports fan. Bob was a member of El Bethel Baptist Church where he had formerly served as a deacon.He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Clara Carpenter Dale of the home; sons, Rex Allen Dale and wife, Nita, Robin Alexander Dale and wife, Teresa, and Ronald Wade Dale, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Dana Thompson and husband, Cameron, Gená Brienzi and husband, Carl, and Alexis Dale; great grandson, Daylin Thompson; sisters, Margaret Keaton and Getty Long, both of Morganton, Nancy Thomas and Linda Beck, both of Glen Alpine; brothers-in-law, Reece Carpenter of Drexel, NC and Everette and J. C. Carpenter, both of Morganton; and sisters-in-law, Louise Carpenter Causby of Valdese, NC, and Betty Jo Carpenter Style of Granite Falls, NC.In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Dale; sisters, Lou Mode and Sarah Merrill; and a grandson, Dewey Robert Dale.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 29, 2008 at El Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. David Bean and Rev. Jimmy Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with military honors performed by Valdese American Legion Post 234. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to El Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 2518, Morganton, NC 28680.