Rev. Gene Hill
November 17, 2010
I first met Dale and JoAnne in El Centro. In January, 2007, I became pastor of the Rio Bend Chapel at Rio Bend RV Park. Throughout my two years there, I was very close to the Adells, often invited for dinner in their home.
Dale Adell 1939-2010
Four Wheeling (Pulled Me Out Of a Hole)
As we all know, Dale’s life was the epitome of what servant hood is really about. When I visited the Adells the last weekend of July in Dubois, Dale took me four wheeling. We went all through the back woods high above their mountain home. It was an experience I will never forget. I had never been four wheeling before. One of the memories was getting stuck in a hole. Dale had already traversed the water/mud hole, but he had a special way of pulling me out of the hole with his four wheeler. That’s what Dale did in his life – he pulled a lot of people out of the hole they were stuck in!
Moose in Wilson, Wyoming
On Sunday, August 1, 2010, Dale and JoAnne took me to the Bar J Chuck wagon in Wilson, just out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As we drove into the huge parking lot, Dale slowed and said he thought there was a moose out there. JoAnne and I got out, and there was a HUGE bull moose, less than 30 yards away. What a thrill! I have always loved moose, and had only seen one from a long distance, and it wasn’t a bull moose. But this was the real thing, and it was an absolute thrill. But the real story here is that Dale was even more thrilled than JoAnne and me!!! He just didn’t let on!
Chuck Wagon Supper (Laughter) (Jokes)
Everyone needs to experience the Bar J ranch – from the hot biscuits prior to the dinner show, to all the laughter and jokes. In all the time I knew Dale, I had never seen him laugh as much. The thing about it, Dale and JoAnne always took friends to the Bar J, and Dale knew what was coming – joke wise! You would have thought that he was hearing those jokes for the very first time!
Flat Tire
Another example of taking care of everybody…As I traveled around Dubois in my little red Ford Focus, there were a lot of roads with gravel. Well, I noticed my rear right tire was getting low. Dale took care of it all. He knew about Bull’s Texaco in town. Before heading back to California, he had me down there and took care of the whole problem. No worries with Dale around.
Feeding the Horses
Another wonderful memory I will always have is the way Dale and JoAnne took care of not only Snickers, but all the horses. This was this past summer after Robert had an accident and had rotator cuff surgery. Dale and JoAnne faithfully fed those horses morning and night. The moral of the story is love and friendship here. That was the type of friendship Dale and Robert enjoyed – looking out after each other.
Annual Late Summer Hunting in the Mountains
Since meeting Dale and JoAnne, I had always heard about the annual hunting trip Dale took in the late summer, early fall, before they headed south for the winter. I can’t remember all the details of the many stories, but somebody knows about them, I’m sure. Dale told me a lot of the stories this last summer when I was in Dubois. One story was about the horse slipping down the side of the mountain. Dale could really tell the story, and how everything eventually worked out. Even hanging the food up on limbs to keep the bears away. Also, Dale knew all the places he had hunted for years in Western Wyoming. He pointed places out as we drove to Jackson Hole that August 1st afternoon. Memories forever.
Commitment to His Friends
Dale Adell was committed to his friends like no one I have ever known. If there was a need, he would do everything in his power to help. JoAnne continues to be the same way. They were a team. They would get it all figured out. Dale Adell learned this, I’m sure, early on, probably at home in Kansas, and it was with him to the very last.
Commitment to His Church in Casper, Dubois, And
Helping Robert
What I’ve just said in the paragraph above is really connected to what Dale’s heart was always about – his faith, and others. His commitment to his family, his faith, and his neighbor. That was what it was all about for Dale. Dale loved the church, and he was always a part. He never wavered on his faith. This doesn’t mean that he agreed on everything, but he held firm to his beliefs and to living his life for Christ and the church. Besides family, teaching, building, and hunting – one could find Dale helping at the church – not just with the buildings, but the people who were the real church. He had many, many stories from the churches in Casper, Dubois, Imperial Valley, and Mesquite. I’ve already mentioned the special friendship between Robert and Dale. I can’t remember the specifics, but there is a story of how Robert got to Wyoming from Kansas. Somebody has that story, I’m sure.Telling Stories (House) (Church Stories)
While in Dubois the last weekend of July, I heard for the first time the story of the Adell’s house burning in Casper, and the person involved. I can’t remember the details, but again it involves helping someone that turned on them. How quickly life changed and adversity hit – but out of the ashes, Dale and JoAnne came back stronger than ever! There are/were many stories from all the churches they were involved in.
Servant
Dale Adell was a servant. We should all follow that example. I am sure he heard the words on October 14, 2010, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter now into the joy of My presence!”
Talked About His Family
During that last weekend in July, I heard Dale talk about their children, grandchildren, and many, many good times.
Too Young To Go
In my opinion, 71 is too young to leave. But none of us knows when our time will come. 60 is the new 50. 70 is the new 60. But it was Dale’s time. He lived his life to the fullest, and he set an example for all of us. I heard someone say recently, “It is a privilege to grow old, because not everyone gets that opportunity.” Oh how true.
Survivor Of Surgeries/Never Heard Him Complain Of His Pain (Back/Knees)
Even with all the surgeries Dale had – back, knees, hip, and others – I never heard him complain. He did say that he had some ungodly pain with having both knees replaced at the same time – and who wouldn’t. I’m mainly thinking that I never knew of Dale to complain between surgeries. If he was hurting, most of us never knew it.
El Centro – Rio Bend Chapel
While in El Centro, Dale basically served as Chairman of the Church Board. He, as well as JoAnne, loved the church there. They were involved in all aspects – getting the minister, substitutes, working with the park management, setting up chairs every Sunday, planning potlucks, overseeing communion, sharing invitations to park residents, dealing with personalities. And important to me, every Sunday, without fail, Dale gave me a handshake and put an envelope in my pocket!
Helper to Everyone at Rio Bend
Dale was first hired, early on, by park owner, Ed McGrew. Dale and JoAnne served as Assistant Managers for Rio Bend. Those were the good ole days. In addition, this is where Dale had his “business” – and I can’t call it for sure. But it was something like, “Mr. Repair It,” or “Mr. Fix It.” I’m sure JoAnne can get the name of that. To make a long story short, Dale was everywhere in that park. If he saw a need, it got done! Dale had a vision for what Rio Bend could be, and was disappointed when it seemed to go south after many managers and owners.
Helper to JoAnne in the Kitchen
One thing I always observed, Dale and JoAnne were a team! When Dale could have been sitting in his chair at Rio Bend, he was up in the kitchen helping JoAnne with the potatoes, or whatever was needed. Dale did his part, and whatever was asked or needed.
Driving To San Antonio
One of the rituals for many years during the Rio Bend days, Dale and JoAnne would leave Dubois and head to San Antonio to visit JoAnne’s mother, then head west to El Centro. Or sometimes, they would do that in reverse. The main thing here is that Dale knew the highways and byways, and he was never hesitant to do what it took to get JoAnne to see her mother and family.
Shaped Life in Kansas
I don’t know for sure, but it would stand to reason that Dale’s life – who he was to all of us – was shaped by his family and growing up in the fields of Kansas. We are all composites of the journey we’ve taken, the decisions we’ve made, and those made for us.
Loved Wyoming
Dale loved Wyoming, and his heart embraced it. I was so pleased to see Dale’s final resting place. That view I can see in my mind in this very moment. It is a 360 degree view of mountains and sky – of trees high above where the Adell’s cabin stands, and the red rock of the north, the badlands. I believe that is a little bit of what heaven is going to be like. And the seasons of Western Wyoming on that hill just East of Dubois will continue to change – but the view will be forever.
Loved Hunting
Dale loved hunting. It wasn’t the thrill of the kill, but it was something more. I’m not a hunter, so I’m not sure what I’m really trying to say here. Perhaps others can describe it. I just know that he loved to hunt.
Loved the Mountains
Dale loved the mountains. It could very well be because there were no mountains in Kansas. But he loved the mountains of Wyoming, and there was a real connection there.
Story of How the Bear Came Up On the Porch of the Original Cabin
Dale humorously tells the story of the bear that came up on the porch of the original little cabin. Dale and JoAnne were staying in the little cabin as they built their larger mountain home. At any rate, Dale was inside the little cabin and he went to the screen door – and there was a bear. They both got a real good look at each other. I don’t think Dale invited the bear inside – ha!
His Love of Katie, the Dog
Another thing I observed at Rio Bend and in Dubois – Dale loved their Katie, the dog. I have to admit that at the service for Dale, for some reason I kept thinking about Katie. Because animals know and sense when something is not right. Perhaps Snickers, the horse, also sensed. But no one mentioned Katie, and I didn’t bring her up. I’m just glad that JoAnne has Katie and Katie has JoAnne. I was remembering Katie, too, as we said goodbye to Dale.
Some other final thoughts…
Ø Dale mentioned on the trip to Wilson on August 1st – while passing by the gorgeous views of the Tetons – something about Diana climbing, or desiring to climb that tallest peak – that she might someday do it.
Ø Another thing is that Dale had all his students in woodshop make bird houses. He talked to me about what this taught his students.
Ø And another thing, when driving into Dubois, and seeing Dale’s name up on the reader board (announcing his service at the Headwaters) – I would think Dale would be smiling at that.
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