Everette Dale Deweese's Obituary
An Eagle has fallen
Capt. Dale Deweese USN (Ret)
It is with his family’s heavy heart that Everette (Dale) Deweese passed into god’s hands on Sunday, August 18, 2019 after a long and brave battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Dale is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years; Ellen, his daughters, Joan and Michelle and grandchildren Jonathan, Ellen, Adam, Ryan, and Davis, his brothers and sisters, Fran, Weldon, Patty, Phyllis, Terry, Joe, Larry and countless nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Dale was born to Willie and Viola Deweese in Franklin, Kentucky in 1933. He was the second of eight children. He attended the University of Kentucky for two years before deciding to join the military in 1954. Dale attended boot camp at the Great Lakes training facility in Chicago. After completing Basic, he attended Fighter Control School where he was selected for the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. Dale then attended flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida earning a commission to ensign and the gold Aviator wings that would take him around the world.
Following completion of flight school Dale was transferred to Quonset NAS in Rhode Island where, in 1957, he met the love of his life and best friend, Ellen Mucha on a blind date set up by Ellen’s sister Marge. They were married later that year on August 10, 1957. The year following, they were blessed with the birth of their first child, Joan-Marie. From there, the family was transferred to Oceana, Virginia, then to Kingsville, Texas, and then moved to Monterey, California where Dale would attend the Military Post Graduate School and earn his BS in Engineering. While stationed in Monterey, they were blessed with the birth of their second daughter, Michelle Ellen.
In 1963, the couple and their young family were transferred to Miramar NAS in San Diego. Dale was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 211, nicknamed the “Fighting Checkmates” where he flew the Vought F-8 Crusader and was deployed to the USS Hancock. During his three tour stretch with VF 211, Dale flew 149 combat missions into Vietnamese territory. His remembrance of that time was defined by his friends and fellow pilots who lost their lives.
Dale was then transferred to the USS Roosevelt where he was assigned as the Flight Deck Officer. From there, the family was relocated to Newport, Rhode Island where Dale attended the prestigious Naval War College and received his master’s degree in International Affairs. Following his graduation in 1968, the family returned to California assigned to Fighter Squadron 126 at Miramar where Dale served as Commanding Officer and flew the Tomcat F14. Upon their return to San Diego, and after living in seventeen houses throughout their many travels, they bought their forever home on September Street in Clairemont, California where through the years they have enjoyed close relationships with their many neighbors.
Over the next several years, Captain Deweese was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the USS St. Louis, served as Commodore for the Amphibious Squadron 1 and was then assigned as the Executive Officer of the Pacific Fleet prior to his retirement in 1986.
Subsequent to his prestigious service with the US Navy, Dale went to work for San Diego County where he served within the Department of Environmental Health’s Hazmat Division. Dale took great pride in his work achieving his Registered Environmental Health Specialist certification. He truly enjoyed the comradery and professionalism of his co-workers.
Following ten years with the County, Dale retired to travel the world with Ellen by his side, spend time with his grandchildren and pursue his many interests. Dale and Ellen traveled to various countries together and when at home they attended countless concerts, baseball, soccer, and football games, always eager to be a part of his grandchildren’s lives. Dale was an active volunteer with USS Midway and the San Diego Maritime Museum where he enjoyed giving tours and educating young and old on the maritime history of San Diego. He also rediscovered the joy of painting. Dale was a gifted artist and focused his skills on individual portraits and seascapes. He explored several painting styles and enjoyed taking classes with fellow artists.
Dale was a beloved husband and father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was kind, generous, and lived an extraordinary life over the course of his 85 years. He is deeply missed and loved by all.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 AM at St Mary Magdalene Church on Wednesday, August 28, 2019. A burial service to follow at 1 PM at Miramar National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate to honorflightsandiego.org or the San Diego Maritime museum.
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