Allen Dale Secrist, 87, of Owensville, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2022 at Capital Region Hospital in Jefferson City. He was born on February 18, 1935, near Woodward, Okla., son of the late Claude Herman and Katherine Elizabeth (Green) Secrist. Dale was united in marriage to Dolores Theresa Lipinski on June 24, 1961.
Dale was a 1953 graduate of Colcord Senior High School in Colcord, Okla. Following high school, Dale and his best friend entered military service. After his service with the 79th Engineering Field Maintenance Company assigned to Camp Okubo in Kyoto, Japan during the Korean War, Dale and his best friend began work at the McDonnell Aircraft Company in St. Louis in 1957.
In 1979, Dale and Dolores moved the family from the St. Louis area to a small, rustic farm in Montgomery County. From an early age, Dale had an interest in almost anything mechanical, particularly trucks, tractors and small engines. This interest would lead Dale to dabble in small engine repair and spend many a summer evening at truck and tractor pulls at county fairs in east central Missouri. After almost 43 years of proud employment, he retired from the Boeing Company in 2000.
Dale was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Montgomery City for as long as he was able to drive. In 2009, Dale took up residence among the other wise and sage residents of Gasconade Manor in Owensville. His simple and kind demeanor made him a beloved member of that community (and the “Valentine’s Day king” more than once).
In addition to being a faithful servant of God and his beloved country, Dale was a dear father. He is survived by four children, Roxsan Meyer of Placitas, N.M.; Rosalyn Kasen of St. Charles; Rebecca Secrist of Denver, Colo., and Fr. Jeremy Secrist of Jefferson City; and one sibling, Verla Massey of Greenville, S.C. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.
Friends will be received on December 9, 2022 at Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville from noon- 2 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Hugo Cemetery in New Florence.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Helping Hands Outreach Center of Gasconade County.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home, 108 South Second Street, Owensville, Missouri 65066.
