PICKELL, Dale L. - b. November 10, 1943 - d. March 11, 2020

[patyrn]

Dale L. Pickell passed our heavenly earth on March 11, 2020 at his home in Phoenix, Arizona after a ferocious five-year battle with cancer.  He was surrounded by his family and listening to Willie's Roadhouse.  His last few days were spent listening to his girls cackle and tell stories.  They believe he enjoyed this, but he actually might have been ready to kick them out of the house.  Dale was born on November 10, 1943 in Elk Falls, Kansas to Carroll and Georgia Letha (Laurie) Pickell.

Dale graduated from Howard High School in Howard, Kansas in 1961,  He attended Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas.  He married Sharon Arnold, and two strong-willed daughters, Joy and Jill, came from this union. 

After having a hay hauling business at an early age, Dale learned that life would not be easy.  He took that in stride and became a Journeyman Lineman, working out of IBEW Local #304 in Topeka, Kansas.  He spent a lifetime as a tramp lineman, keeping the lights on west of the Mississippi River.  During this time, he was active in the Scottish Rite and Shriners International. 

On April 4, 1997, Dale married the true love of his life, Lorrie Taylor.  This union brought two more children, Warren and Angie.  Lorrie embraced traveling as Dale worked a lineman's life, and they eventually settled in Phoenix, Arizona for their retirement years.  They continued to travel for pleasure, driving many miles to visit family, seeing new places, creating memories, and sailing the high seas.  When Dale was not traveling, he enjoyed antagonizing his Arizona grandkids, working with metal in his shop, cooking meat on the smoker, being a friend, and helping others. 

Dale will be missed by his wife of almost twenty-three years, Lorrie Pickell of the home; three daughters, Joy Suits of Bristow, Oklahoma, Jill Pickell of Longton, Kansas, and Angela (Tom) Panackia of Phoenix, Arizona; one son, Warren (Jamie) Byler of Phoenix, Arizona;l one sister, Caretha Thomas of St. Louis, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Shy, Tia, Kaytlin, Lauren, Andrew, Erin, Macie, Ryan, Andrew, Leah, and Taylor; and eight great-grandchildren, Chance, Jerry, Haidyn, Quinlan, Sophie, Gage, Penelope, and Jaxson.  Dale will also be forever remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.  Dale was preceded in death by his parents; extended family, many lineman brothers, beer-drinking buddies, and motorcycle riding friends.  Dale may have moved to the desert, but the sky has been shedding tears as we gently, softly embrace one another wishing him a fond farewell until we see him another day. 

As Dale lived a traveler's life, two Celebrations of Life will be held.  The first one was held in Phoenix Arizona on March 14, 2020, and the second one will be held in Independence, Kansas at a later date.  Byers Funeral Services of Phoenix, Arizona was entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Byers Funeral Services website)