Vernon Dale Lewallen

Vernon Dale Lewallen reluctantly accepted divine orders to move on to bigger and better things, leaving us on October 5, 2016.One thing that cannot be denied is that Dale's was a presence strongly felt. We were all, at one point or another, infuriated by his stubbornness or inspired by his strength -- often both at the same time. He always kept us laughing with his audacious sense of humor; his delight in shocking us with some new shenanigan cannot be understated. What Dale taught us has shaped our lives: how to be strong, how to persevere, and how to live life with a passion and vigor that few can duplicate.No stranger to hospitals, Dale battled physical issues for the majority of his adulthood. However, in his typical fashion, he refused to allow his disabilities to make him any less larger-than-life. He defied doctors' orders to just go ahead and die for the better part of the past year, never growing too tired to pick political arguments, flirt with his nurses, or lecture us all on what we would be doing with ourselves if we had any sense. He was a giant in our lives.Dale served in the Marine Corps until his medical discharge after being severely injured in a training accident. He was a talented woodworker, perpetually dedicated to the artistry of his craft. He loved fishing and traveling to the Texas coast, and most of all, he loved his family.Dale was born on January 5, 1934, the son of Leo Raymond Lewallen and Zella May Hogue. He is survived by one brother, Darrell Lewallen of Mineral Wells, and is preceded in death by four brothers and sisters, W.A., Vannelle, Jamie, and Carolyn.The patriarch of a large family, he leaves behind his beloved wife, Betty Lewallen, and five children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild: Virginia Beauchamp and husband Loyd of Mineral Wells, with children Desiree, Kevin, Chris, and Ashley; Cheryl Geiger and husband John of Houston with children Betty, Jamie, their son Logan, John, and Michael; David Lewallen and wife Deborah of Keller; Walter Lewallen of Cedar Creek with children Sarah, her friend Ivan, and Jeremy; and Brigitte Saltarelli and husband John of Weatherford with children Terrell, Autumn, and Ariana. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.The memorial service will be at 2:00 on Monday, October 10, at Salesville Baptist Church. Visitation will be Sunday October 9 from 2:00-4:00 at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner chapel in Mineral Wells.