Dale L. Harrison passed away peacefully surrounded by family December 30, 2015 at the age of 98.

Dale Lorenzo Harrison was born in Malad, Idaho December 14, 1917 to Julia Edith Mock and Lorenzo Harrison. He was the second of five children. He was raised west of Malad on the family ranch on the Sand Ridge He attended school at Elkhorn, St. John and Malad High School. Sports and hard work were always a big part of his life. He started breaking horses and doing the field work with a team of horses at a very young age. He loved sports and was captain of the Malad High basketball team his senior year. He earned a scholarship to University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho where he attended school for two years.

With the onset of WWII, Dale’s draft number was drawn first so he decided to join the Army Air Corps. While stationed in California he was a star player for the March Field Air Corp basketball team, competing against college and military teams. It was there he met and married Evelyn Freeman, on June 25, 1944, his wife of 65 years. While stationed in the Philippine Islands, Dale worked with the youth teaching them a variety of sports, including basketball. He said that’s where he learned to love working with the youth.

After WWII, Dale and Evelyn returned to the family ranch. They raised cattle, crops and three daughters, who loved the farm and working with Dad.

Dad and Mom were converted in 1965 to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The whole family was baptized and later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple. Dad spent countless hours working with his horses, his daughters, and any youth who were interested in rodeo. One of his greatest joys was taking kids he had coached to the National High School Rodeo Finals. He often cut grain and put up hay all night long to be able to go.

Dale contributed a lifetime of service to the community. He was elected to ASC county committee, served on the school board, PTA, Farm Home Administration, FSA committee, and the fair and race committee including Fair Board chairman for several years. One of the highlights of the fair for him was the livestock auction. He was the athletic director for the Church and taught the Explorers in the Scout program for many years as well as the High School Rodeo Coach and a rodeo director on the district, state and national level. He always helped friends and neighbors whenever there was a need.

Dale coached and won a District rodeo Championship and coached a team at a basketball tournament, winning the silver medal. Four rodeo performances, three basketball games seventy miles apart, all on the same weekend. When asked what motivated him to do it all, he stated, he gained more than those he helped.

He continued to play basketball, coach and referee well into his 60’s.

He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

As Dad’s family grew, he was actively involved in their interests, hunting, rodeo, basketball or snowmobiles. We have all fallen victim to his competitive spirit and sense of humor. He taught us all the love of the outdoors, of animals and to appreciate a good horse. He has always been an example of honesty, integrity and dependability.

For the last number of years, Dad has been living in the Nell J. Redfield Long Term Care in Malad, entertaining and interacting with his “second family”. Many thanks to all those who helped with his loving care.

Dale is survived by three daughters; Suzanne (Jake)Williams, JoAnn (Vance) Ward, and Lori (Brad) Peterson; 10 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; sisters, Lucile Harrison and Bette Wight. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Maxie Thompson, and brother, Cecil Harrison.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday January 6, 2016 at 12:00 noon in the Malad LDS Stake Center, 1250 North 1000 West. Friends may visit with the family at the church from 10:30a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the St. John Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Horsley Funeral Home.