Dale Gidley
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Dale Russell Gidley, Jr. was born February 23, 1946 in Greenville, NC and entered into Eternal Life February 29, 2020 in Denton, TX. Dale was known for his loving nature, amazing sense of humor, wonderful story-telling ability, and making a friend everywhere he went. He often joked with random people he encountered and in big crowds still made you feel as though you were the most important person he had ever known. Children gravitated to Dale's eternal youthful spirit - who himself, was in many ways was a child at heart - and adults were likewise drawn to his warmth, kindness, thoughtfulness and unwavering friendship. Dale's passion for the outdoors included decades of duck hunting with his friends, family, and his many beloved black Labrador retrievers. "Farmer Dale" spent countless hours perfecting his massive fruit and vegetable gardens; and as "The Barbeque King," Dale would wake up before the sun to ensure his Texas briskets started off and finished perfectly...(they always did.) Dale was a huge sports fan, a devout viewer of the Western Channel and he loved country, soul and blue grass music. He had a love/love relationship with the New York Yankees, a love/hate relationship with his East Carolina Pirates, and a hate/hate relationship with the Dallas Cowboys. Beautifully done calligraphy was a hobby he did for those close to his heart. Morning coffee and his morning papers were a must, as were daily trips to the post office and making sure his dogs got their fair share of whatever he was eating. Dale's quirks and habits were more endearing than most because he was so self-deprecating about them. When he wore shorts, he called his calf-high white socks with crocs "a thing of beauty." Friends would lovingly or mockingly pay homage to Dale by using more tape than necessary on a package or showing up early for an appointment, and he would joke with pride saying, "it brings a tear to me eye." Whether a grocery store cashier, a bank teller, one of his customers, friends or family, Dale made you feel special - after all, they were the ones who got to sample all the vegetables and briskets. Above all else, Dale cherished his time and laughter with those closest to him. For that, he was dear to each of us and will be so greatly missed, but we are blessed beyond measure for having had Dale in our lives. Left to cherish the precious memories are his wife, Sandra Swift Gidley of Copper Canyon; son, John Hogan Gidley of Washington, DC, sisters; Missy Flowers (Warren) of Richlands, NC, and Betsy Gidley (Randy Wynne) of Chocowinity, NC; brother, Dr. Lewis Gidley of Greenville, NC; brothers-in-law, Robert Swift (Mary) of Kingsbury, TX and David Swift of San Antonio, TX; sisters-in law, Carol "Sue Bob" Rosser of San Antonio, TX, Donna Leidner (Bill) of Irving, TX; and 33 treasured nieces and nephews and greats that he loved and adored. He is preceded in death by his parents, Big Dale and Ann Gaskins Gidley; and sister-in-law, Susan Gidley. A Celebration of Dale's life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home, Coppell, TX and another Celebration will be held at Cypress Landing Bay Club in Chocowinity, NC on April 4, 2020 between 2&4pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to DFW Lab Rescue, PMB 352, 3100 Independence Parkway, Suite 311, Plano, TX 75075, www.labrescue.org, or a charity of your choice.