Dale Leroy Dunnigan

Dale, son of the late Roberta (Nicola) and Raymond Dunnigan, was born Aug. 31, 1938, in Alva, Ok and passed away Jan. 25, 2026, at age 87. Dale attended Longfellow School until 4th grade and then transferred to Washington for fourth through sixth grade. He attended Horace Mann for 2 years in Junior high and graduated from Alva High School with the class of 1956. Dale started college at NWOSU in the fall and completed the semester. He and his friend Edwin Meixner joined the USMC. After boot camp, Dale served with the H.Q. company of the 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton as a company clerk. He then transferred to “A” Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa. His unit made amphibious landings in South Korea and the Philippines and was on station at Formosa and Quemoy Island during a tense time with China. After serving over 15 months overseas, he returned to the U.S. and spent the last 6 months in Barstow, Calif. After his discharge, he came home, completing college and graduating with the Class of 1965. Dale worked 2-3 jobs while going to school where he met his wife, Della. They were married for almost 58 years at her passing in 2020. To this union, their daughter Denise Lynn was born. Dale and Della lived in Alva their entire married life in the home they built. Dale worked 3 years at Alfalfa Electric in Cherokee. He then purchased his first semi and became an owner operator for over 40 years. Dale owned 7 different semis and drove over one million miles. Dale met many fine people from Texas to N. Dakota in all kinds of weather. He farmed and ran a small cow herd with his friend Don Lynch. Dale always looked forward to harvest each year. Dale was a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church for over 55 years where he served in all capacities. Upon the church’s closure, he transferred his membership to the First United Methodist Church in Alva. In 2021, Dale met Carmen Eicken. They became engaged and enjoyed several years together with Punkin, Dale’s beloved Boston Terrier. Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by niece Toni Bender and nephew Mike Pfleider, his parents, a sister and infant brother. Dale is survived by his daughter, Denise, and husband Chris Emmer of New Orleans; niece Joni and Bill Foreman (Casper, Wyo.); nephew Greg Bender (Kingfisher), niece Dannel Pfleider (Alva), nephew Steve and Barbara Walz (Kiowa) and nephews Mike and Raquelle Walz (Alva) and Marc and Roberta Walz (Alva) other relatives and friends. . In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Alva Senior Citizen’s Center or the First United Methodist Church in Alva.

Dale Leroy Dunnigan

August 31, 1938 - January 25, 2026