Our sweet dad, Dale Rydalch Ericson, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home Tuesday, July 14, 2020. He was 83.
He was born April 24, 1937, the oldest son of John William and Marjorie Rydalch Ericson. He attended Tooele Central School and graduated from Tooele High School in 1955. He then went on to Trade Tech where he became an accomplished and talented welder.
In his younger years, he worked on the family farm helping his grandpa with the chickens and occasionally sneaking into the Razzle Dazzle to see if there were any quarters in the change return of the jukebox.
After college, he was a member of the Utah National Guard. He also worked for numerous companies as a welder but spent the bulk of his career at the Anaconda Mine and Tooele Army Depot. He finished his career working for Tooele County in the Roads Department.
Dad was a man of his word. His integrity and caring ways were always an example for us to live by. His sense of humor and sly smile could always make you laugh and put you in a good mood. Dad was very talented mastering the guitar and mandolin. He was also a great artist.
He and Mom loved to go camping and share their adventures with family and friends. In his “spare” time he built onto the house, rode his horse, worked on the farm and tried to accomplish the never-ending honey-do list from Mom. There wasn’t a Louis L’Amour book he hadn’t read.
In his latest years he loved racing around the yard on his lawnmower, rocking on the porch, telling stories, watching his old western shows, and always joking.
He met his sweetheart Lois at Al’s Drive Inn Cafe and April 24, 1959, on his 22nd birthday they were married. This marriage lasted 58 years to the day when Mom passed away on April 24, 2017. He and Mom purchased the family farm and built their home where they lived together the remainder of their lives.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Marjorie Ericson, two brothers Clyde Dean and William Judd, and one granddaughter Desiree. He is survived by daughter Kim Willoughby; son Monty Ericson (Terra) and son Clint Ericson (Scott); four grandchildren Mandy, Russell, Jeremy and Darci; and four great-grandchildren Kaden, Kyler, Emberly and Liam.
Service will be held Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St. Viewing will be from 11 a.m. to noon with a service immediately following at noon. Interment at the Tooele City Cemetery.
In keeping with COVID guidelines, we ask that if attending the services, you wear a mask and practice safe social distancing. A mask will be provided if you don’t have one. You may also view a live stream broadcast of the funeral if you prefer not to attend or are unable to at my.gather.app/remember/dale-ericson.