We are deeply saddened to share with you the passing of retired Brother Dale Archer on February 1, 2024.
Dale had started working here at American Airlines in 1966 and worked as an Aviation Maintenance Technician, Also Crew Chief AMT and retired from the position of Inspector in 2003.
Please keep the Archer family in your thoughts and prayers.
Obituary
Dale Leon Archer was born January 28, 1944, in Coffeyville, Kansas. After spending some time with his family in Dodge City, they resettled to Winfield, where Dale lived until he graduated from Winfield High School and enlisted in the US Air Force in 1962. Dale’s father, Vernie, was a shoe cobbler and his mother, Lois, stayed at home with the 6 children. While the family had little in the way of material goods, the home was abundant in love. As an adult, Dale fondly recalled some of the mischief he and his childhood friends made, including an adventure involving some ill-gotten dynamite and the Crayola factory in Winfield.
In March of 1963, Dale hitchhiked back to Winfield from Williams Air Force Base in Arizona, in order to marry the love of his life, Linda Louise Bielby, nee Archer. The newlyweds then drove a jalopy back to Arizona, where they spent the rest of Dale’s service period. They loved their time in Arizona and made some life-long friends, but were drawn back to this area to be near their families. Dale subsequently found work as an aircraft mechanic with American Airlines in Tulsa, where he worked for 37 years until his retirement in 2003.
Dale was perhaps happiest when camping with Linda, and the two spent several summers pulling their fifth wheel trailer to parks and campgrounds all over the American West. A die-hard college basketball fan, Dale was a season ticket holder for the TU Golden Hurricanes for some 50 years, cheering them on even during their most difficult seasons. An avid reader, Dale centered his days around trips to the Claremore Public Library to check out the latest spy novels and give the librarians “trouble.” He was also an avid gardener, taking great pride in his blackberries and tomatoes.
Dale deeply loved his three children, Robert, Kimberly, and Brad, as well as Brad’s wife, Mary Ellen. He received immense joy from playing games and doing projects with his grandkids Lauren, Payton, Makayla, Emily and Maisy Lou. Dale’s kindness, generosity and quick wit touched all with whom he came into contact, and he held his family ties and friendships dearly. He will be greatly missed, but the sound of his laughter and the sparkle in his eyes will forever live on in our memories. Dale is survived by his aforementioned wife, children, grandchildren and older brother, Ronnie, who lives with his wife, Mary, in Bethany, Oklahoma.
There are no planned services or visitations. Should you want to celebrate Dale’s life with a gift, please send a donation to the Claremore Public Library.