"So mote it be" (The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry End Of Prayer)

Verlene Dale McMennamy, left this life on August 12, 2020, due to complications of COVID-19. Dale was the youngest of the 11 children born to May and William Henry McMennamy of Quanah, Hardeman County, Texas. Premature and small at his start of life, and losing his father at the age of two, Dale grew into a giant of a man, both in size and personality. "Bigger than life" described Dale perfectly. During his time at Quanah schools, Dale began working on the Drake Ranch, the owner, Don Drake, becoming a father figure to him, for which he was forever grateful. Dale achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Quanah High, Dale began working a Lockheed aircraft factory. A generous coworker recognized Dale's potential and offered to pay his tuition for TCU. Dale humbly and gratefully accepted, continued to work at Lockheed nights through college, honoring his benefactor by graduating and eventually obtaining his Master's Degree from SMU. Athletically talented, Dale tried out for the Dallas Cowboys and played on their practice squad for one year. And, speaking of football, Dale lived and breathed football from being on the Quanah High Chief 's team to the Dallas Cowboys and far beyond. Dale then began selling insurance and worked his way up to being the Regional Manager of Royal Life Insurance. For relaxation and pure enjoyment, Dale was a weight power lifter, a passion that endured through his late 70's. He also loved all things Western, buying and selling items on weekends. Dale had a beautiful voice and formerly sang in the First Baptist Dallas Choir for 10 years; and, he has now joined the greatest choir of all, God's Heavenly Choir. April 30, 1960, he married Patricia Edwards Edge, adopting her son, Howard and, with whom he had the light of life, daughter Michelle Renee. His marriage to Patricia ended in 1964, and in 1985 he reconnected with a Quanah schoolmate, Wilma Ruth Wykes (Lemons) at the Quanah High School Reunion. On May 28, 1987, Dale and Wilma were married at First Baptist Dallas and celebrated their 33rd year of marriage this year. Dale was also a 32nd Degree Mason and active in The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, faithfully upholding their principles of Brotherly love, relief and truth; bettering himself; his community; and, having a deep reverence for history, compassion in his heart and a desire to create a better future. True to his Irish genes, Dale was a great story teller.

Survived by his wife, Wilma; daughter, Michelle and husband, Zachary Scott; Wilma's sons, Keith and wife, Pamela Jo Lemons; and, Brent and wife, Kathy Lemons. "Daddoo" to all his grand kids, he is also survived by granddaughters, Madison Patrylick; and, Caitlin and husband, Felix Baram; great grandchildren Meridian and Camilla Patrylick. Wilma's grandchild, Amber Lemons Sustala and husband, Jud Sustala and, Wilma's great grandchildren London, Paisley and Barrett (Bear); grandchild, Jane Lemons Upshaw and husband, Jason Upshaw with great grandchildren Ruby, Rueben and Rufus; grandchild Lauren Lemons Shinwari and husband, Azouz Shinwari with great grandchildren Noor and Alhamdullilah; grandchildren Brent Paxton Lemons; Mary Catherine Lemons; and, great grandson, Jimmy Paxton. Finally, Daddoo Dale is surely getting a preview of his great grandson, Luca Lewis Baram that granddaughter Caitlin is expecting in 10 days!

Dale was predeceased by his son, Howard Dale McMennamy; and, Wilma's grandson, Chad Grantham Lemons. Dale survived all of his brothers and sisters, except for sister Gertrude "Trudy" McMennamy Hughes, age 99, of Wichita Falls. Predeceasing Dale were his parents, May Mackey McMennamy and, William Henry McMennamy; siblings, Tiney McMennamy Ashford; Lena McMennamy Scott; Allie McMennamy Scott; Audrey McMennamy; Aubrey McMennamy; Charles McMennamy; Juanita McMennamy Combs; Curtis McMennamy; and, Bill McMennamy. Dale had multiple nieces, nephews; and, great nieces and nephews and was known by all as "Uncle Mac". There is quite the McMennamy reunion going on above. Graveside services are planned in Quanah, Texas, with a Memorial Service to be announced at a later date.