Dale James Winchester

Dale James Winchester passed away peacefully at home on Thursday morning, January, 7th   surrounded by family after a brief battle with cancer.  Dale was cool, quirky and simple. He worked side by side with celebrities, but preferred making best friends with the Holiday Oil and Albertson’s grocery clerks. He cared so much about the way a piece of wood fit together perfectly yet his desk was a constant mess. He took pride in the way he presented a fruit platter for a party, yet he rarely cared if his clothes matched. He was a Delta Million Miler that preferred road trips to National Parks over luxury beach vacations.  

Dale was a Utah native – Born in Salt Lake City, his family briefly moved to Park City and then on to Tooele for his high school days and beyond before settling in Sandy where he raised his family. 

Those that knew Dale will attest that in 78 years he rarely sat still.  His life was filled with projects. Even as his pain increased, he still wanted to be out in the yard, picking tomatoes or fixing sprinklers.  He loved projects big and small and he gave the same attention to detail no matter the size. Everything he built was a masterpiece. 

Dale spent 50 years in the golf irrigation industry where he was known as a pioneer and an icon. Most of his career was spent working with the world’s leading golf course architects as an irrigation designer and project consultant. He spent 30 years as the chief irrigation consultant for Arnold Palmer and loved his relationship with Mr. Palmer and the course design staff.  In his lifetime, he was able to work on over 300 golf projects on 6 continents. He received many awards over the years for his innovation, knowledge and dedication to the business, but in his mind his greatest reward was the friendships he built. Our family is so grateful for the friends and colleagues that have reached out from around the world to share their love. 

Dale loved his Heavenly Father. In his last months his family could tell he was forming an even deeper relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved to share his excitement and testimony through his weekly emails he titled “Remember and Reflect.” Sending these messages became his small way to share his love of the gospel of Christ. He served faithfully in many ways. He was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in California, he was a high-priest leader a member of his bishopric but his favorite calling of all was working in the church as a librarian. There, he was free to skip Sunday School and focus on his true calling – telling stories to anyone who would listen. 

If there was one thing to be said above all, he loved people. It was evident in the way he treated his family – especially his sweet wife Teri. His love and support of his family was unmatched in this world. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father (Helen and James) and his baby brother. He is survived by his loving wife Teri and his children Stephen (Angie), Erin, John (Lori), Courtney (Troy), Annie (Andrew) and Meredith (Brady), 21 grandchildren, sister Coral (Brent), and brother Randy (Trudy).

A celebration of his life will take place next week. In true Dale fashion it will go on for days. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 13th from 5 pm – 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 14th  at 11 am.

All services will be held at Anderson & Goff Mortuary 11859 S. 700 E, Draper, UT 84020.  A graveside service will be held at Larkin Cemetery in Sandy where he carefully chose his final resting place near the humming of the pump station that irrigates the beautiful property.

To view a video recording of the services, please go to:

https://fb.watch/30xhmdSSqC/