Dale Louis Ford

Dale Louis Ford, age 77, a Casper native, passed away comfortably and peacefully, after a short illness, on March 8^th, 2024, in the presence of family.  He was born on July 31, 1946 in Casper, Wyoming to Paul B. Ford and Loraine E. Ford.  Dale was raised in Casper with his two older brothers, attending St. Anthony’s, Dean Morgan Junior High, and graduating from Natrona County High School in 1964.  He went on to attend Casper College and the University of Wyoming, graduating with a BA in psychology in 1968.  Dale enlisted in the US Navy in 1969, serving two years active duty, and being honorably discharged from the Navy reserve in 1974.  After returning from active duty, he reacquainted with his high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Merchant.  They were married on March 11, 1972, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, and remained in Casper, raising their family.  He worked in employment services for most of his career, initially at Job Service, soon becoming the State of Wyoming Job Corps coordinator.  During his years of service, he received multiple honors and awards.  He finished his employment career as a private contractor Job Corps coordinator, working alongside his wife, Jacqueline, for several years.  He later served at the Bureau of Land Management and then as a job coach for developmentally challenged workers.   During his childhood, education, Naval service, career, sports, travel, and retirement activities, Dale made many dear friends that are like family to him.  He touched many lives through his activities as a career counselor, often guiding youth to successful paths that otherwise may have been elusive.

Dale was athletically gifted throughout his life, enjoying many sports, but having a special affection for baseball and competitive fast pitch softball.  He enjoyed great success in softball, noting that his best year ever was at age 50.  He was the winner of several pool tournaments, and remained mercilessly undefeated in back yard croquet for over 40 years.  He could rarely be defeated, except in games of chance.  It was difficult to display all of the trophies he earned from his sports activities.  Eager to pass along his love for sports, he greatly enjoyed coaching his children’s T-ball, Little League baseball, and softball teams.  

Many family memories revolve around his stories of himself, friends, and brothers’ childhoods spent exploring the streets of Casper, taking in a movie, and then spending hours playing baseball in the spring and summer months until the sun went down. A favorite childhood story was of the time he attended the 1953 premier of “Shane” at the America Theater, noting the ticket line went around the block, and was attended by Jack Palance, who was heartily booed for his portrayal of Shane’s nemesis.    

Among his other hobbies, Dale took great pride in honing his home improvement and maintenance skills, taking on any landscaping, construction, plumbing, electrical, or roofing task that was needed or desired.  He relished in sharing these skills by helping multiple family members and friends with their home improvement or repair projects, and could be counted on to drop anything for others’ needs. Dale had a penchant for photo and video documentation of family activities. He enjoyed working on and restoring classic cars, hosting cookouts for family and friends, watching and cheering for the Casper College T-Birds, UW Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, and especially the Cleveland Indians baseball team.  Traveling was one of his great pleasures, highlighted by family vacations, softball tournament trips, and going on a vacation to Ireland with friends.

Dale delighted in providing for his family, spending time with his wife, Jacqueline, and devoting himself to her care up to the time of her recent passing.  He continued to make close friends and acquaintances until the end of his life, always having a perfect balance of humor and wit, with the ability to pull out a good movie quote or impression at just the right time.   

Dale was blessed to have friends too numerous to list.  It should be known that these friends are greatly appreciated and highly regarded by Dale and his surviving family members.  Dale is survived by his children, Stephanie Sidebottom (Kelcey), Dennis (Davette), Patrick (Dawn), Paul, brother Wayne (Becky), sister-in-law Patricia, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline, parents Paul B. and Loraine, and brother Robert “Punky” (Patricia).

Although a man of strong faith, Dale requested no services.  Bustard and Jacoby is entrusted with other arrangements, and cremation has taken place.   The family is planning a celebration of life and interment with his departed wife at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials or donations to the Casper Youth Baseball League or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be a great honor to Dale.  Dale and family greatly appreciate the care that he received by the staff at Wyoming Medical Center and at Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions.

Dale will be dearly missed by many friends and family, but he “did not want people to spend too much time grieving.”  He was well prepared for this transition, and eager to reunite with his beloved wife.   Dale would often quote from his favorite movies, and at this time we can almost hear him calling this one out: “Shane… Shane… Come back!”