Dale McPherson
Marriages
Jeanne McPherson - March 21, 1956
Obituaries
Daily Sentinel page 4B - December 19, 2019
Leslie Dale McPherson, 87,
was born on September 3, 1932,
and went to be with the Lord on
December 16, 2019.
Dale was born to Daniel A.
and Mary E. McPherson in
Rifle, Colorado, the youngest of
11 children. He was raised on
a ranch south of Silt and spent
several summers herding sheep
with his father, trailing them
through the old mining town of Aspen, to the high country above
Leadville. He loved his childhood on the ranch and knew he wanted
to be a rancher for the rest of his life.
Dale enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 and was stationed in Texas,
Colorado, South Carolina, and France. Oh the stories he told about
his experiences overseas.
After his honorable discharge from the Air Force he returned
home to Silt and married his sweetheart from Meeker, Jeanne Nay,
on March 21, 1956. Dale had met Jeanne at the Little Beaver Creek
schoolhouse, located outside of Meeker, at one of their community
dances. They spent the first part of their married life together on a
horse pack string taking care of the McPherson Brothers’ sheep on
their summer range on Sweetwater Creek on the Flat Tops. It was
a carefree time of riding their horses, fishing in the small streams
and living in a tent. Both Dale and Jeanne spoke very fondly of
this period of their life. From this union, three children were born,
LaPriel, Daniel and Steven.
Dale joined his brothers in the family ranching partnership, on
the home ranch south of Silt, until 1965. He continued ranching on
Silt Mesa and West Divide Creek until his retirement. Dale enjoyed
being on his horse taking care of his cattle. Riding in the autumn
was one of his favorite things to do. He loved the ranching way of
life and always said he would not change anything regarding his life
if given the opportunity.
Dale was a long term member of the Holy Cross Cattlemen’s
Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He was also a member of the First
Baptist Church of Garfield County.
In his later years Dale was able to travel and see different parts of
the world including going back to Paris, France. He felt fortunate
that he was able to do this.
Dale is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeanne McPherson;
daughter, LaPriel Armijo (Art); sons, Daniel McPherson, and
Steven McPherson (Mary), and granddaughter, Andrea Sours.
Also, surviving are two of his older sisters, Stella McClung and
Natalie Meisner, and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions
be made to RIDE (The Riding Institute for Disabled Equestrians),
2804 County Road 250, Silt, Colorado, 81652 or a charity of your
choice.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2019, at
1:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Silt, 602 Grand Avenue,
followed by burial at the Divide Creek Cemetery, with military
honors. A reception will follow in Silt.
