Dale Lloyd Spires' Obituary
Funeral services with military rites for Dale Lloyd Spires, 78, of DeRidder, LA, will be held at 10:00 A M, Wednesday, November 23, 2016, in Labby Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in DeRidder with Rev. Lindsey Burns, Rev. Frank Nihart and Rev. Johnny Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Ridge Cemetery in Pleasant hill, LA, under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2016, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm and from 9 am until service time Wednesday, November 23, 2016, in Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder.
Dale was born January 10, 1938 in Higginsport, OH, to Raymond and Gladys Spires. He passed away Saturday, November 19, 2016, in Overton-Brooks Medical Center in Shreveport, LA.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in DeRidder where he served as a member of both the Sanctuary Choir and Joy Singers Senior Adult Choir. He was very active on mission trips and back yard bible schools. He was a member of the puppet ministry, clown ministry, prayer room ministry and the Cormie Sunday School Class. Dale served his country honorably in both the U. S. Army and the U. S. Navy, retiring with twenty-three years of service and serving in both the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. Dale earned the Bronze Star with V Device, two Purple Hearts, and other metals for heroic conduct. He was also retired from Federal Civil Service.
He was a life member of the Military Order of Purple Heart, a life member of DAV, and a member of both the VFW and American Legion. He was the State of Louisiana Department of Purple Heart Service Officer and Jr. Vice Commander. He served as Commander of the Military Order of Purple Heart Chapter #727 as well as other offices.
Dale was a member of the Masonic Lodge #271 and Order of the Eastern Star #33 DeRidder and the Masonic Lodge #290 and Order of the Eastern Star #204, Rosepine, LA, serving as Worthy Patron of both Eastern Star bodies. He was also a member of the York Rites, Scottish Rites Shrines of Lake Charles, and Habibi Shrine, which included Royal Arch and Commandry, and Southwest LA Shrine of DeRidder, LA. Dale was a member of the Clown Unit in Lake Charles, LA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sarah Whitehead Spires, and son Daniel Wesley Spires. He is survived by his loving wife of twenty-five years Ann Spires of DeRidder; children Priscilla Spires, Dale L Spires, II, Kevin Spires, all of Leesville, LA, and Dennis Spires and wife Dana of Shreveport, LA; step-sons James “Tom” Peterson and wife Terri of Shreveport and Randy Phillips and wife Linda of Haughton, LA; sister, Delores Ross of Ripley, OH; three grandchildren, Travis, Cade and Cohen, three step grandchildren, Laurie, Trey and Brittany and four great grandchildren.
What’s your fondest memory of Dale?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dale?
Share a story where Dale's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dale you’ll never forget.
How did Dale make you smile?