Lieutenant Colonel G. Dale Shearon, (USA Retired), son of the late Dewey (Pete) Shearon and Mable Harlan Shearon was born on September 17, 1929 in Gray Ridge, Missouri, and departed this life on August 19, 2011 at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 81.[BR}{BR} Lt. Col. Shearon was united in marriage to Glenna Ruth Patrick on April 20, 1952 in Livonia, Michigan. Mrs. Shearon passed away on July 9, 2006.

He was raised in and around Gray Ridge, Missouri, and graduated from the Gray Ridge High School in June of 1947. Lt. Col. Shearon joined the Army that year and served two tours of duty in Korea. The last tour was as a combat infantryman during the war years of 1950-1951. He rose in rank from private to sergeant first class during this period.

He was granted by Congress a direct appointment to second lieutenant in 1952. After which he attended the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of that training he entered the Army Aviation program and succeeded in earning ratings in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft at San Marcos AFB, Texas.

He served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a combat aviator. Lt. Col. Shearon retired from the Army in 1978, after which he taught at Richland Elementary School.

He was ordained a minister in 1960, and pastored churches in Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, and Missouri. He was also a member of the Friendship Baptist Church in Dexter and a resident of Dexter.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, Ann Lee Julian.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 9 until 11 a.m.,. Thursday August 25, 2011. Funeral services will then be conducted at 11 a.m.,. on Thursday August 25, 2011 in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Lonny Mittag officiating.

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.