Thomas William Dale
December 30, 1928 - December 10, 2014
Thomas William Dale, born in Gallipolis, Ohio on December 30, 1928 to Cecil "Pete" and Mary Jo (Johnston) Dale, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by first wife and mother of their four children, Virginia "Judi" Dale, brother Jack Dale, sister and brother-in-law Kathryn (Dale) Krizinski and Roman Krizinski, sons Thomas W. Dale, Jr. and Matthew J. Dale, niece Anne Heckman.
He is survived by his present wife of 20 years, Patricia A. Bujold Dale; daughters, Lisa (Bob) Dale Press, Jennifer (Andy) Reed; granddaughters, Alayna Dale Press and Misha Press; step-daughter, Kimberly (Terry) McDonald; and other loving family members, Patricia and Sid Drumheiser, Christopher Brown, Paige and John Stefanchuck and their daughter, Zandra and Don Heckman and son, Ryan.
Thomas graduated from West High School in 1945 and went on to graduate from The Ohio State University with a BS in Education in 1949 and Master of Arts in 1955.
He worked as a professional musician from age 16 and played trombone with the Paul Hand Territory Band, he later formed his own music group, the Tommy Dale Orchestra as well as playing with the Jerry Kaye Orchestra for many of the Broadway musicals and other music events travelling to Ohio. He was a member of the Chuck Selby Orchestra when they played The Valley Dale as well as playing with other music groups playing night clubs in Columbus at that time.
He taught instrumental music in the Columbus Public Schools from 1949 to 1979 and retired as band director of North High School in 1979. He received an Honor Award for his teaching from the North High Polar Bear Alumni Association in 1996.
He was Past President of the Local #103 of AF of M. He was a member of the 37th Division of Ohio National Guard and was activated into active service during the Korean War. He was one of the original members of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and played lead trombone until his retirement from the Jazz Arts Group. He received many music awards including the Columbus Senior Hall of Fame in 1995, God and Country Music Award 1996, 2008 Inaugural Hall of Fame presented by the Jazz Arts Group. Tom was a member of West Gate Lodge No 0624, life member AA Scottish Rite, Member of Aladdin Shrine, Aladdin Shrine Band Member for 60 years and director of the Aladdin Shrine Band for 40 years and still active as director of the Aladdin Dance/Jazz Band, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters.
He was a very warm, gentle, kind and loving family man devoted to his many friends, students and fellow musicians throughout his entire life and memories of Tom and his music will remain with us forever.
Interment will take place at Sunset Cemetery, Galloway. A Celebration of Life for Tom will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 2 pm in the ballroom at the Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Rd, Columbus, Ohio. Friends who wish may contribute to his memory to the Research Department of the Cincinnati Shriners Hospital for Children, 322 Burnet Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel.
