Dale R. Granger, 77

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Colonel Dale R. Granger, United States Army (Ret.) at the age of 77 on Aug. 2, 2024. 

Born in Adams, Massachusetts to Clovis and Josephine (Dudek) Granger, he was the oldest of three children. Dale graduated from Adams Memorial High School in 1965. He was class president and a 3-letter star athlete. He continued his love of physical activity throughout his life remaining active in everything from basketball, to running and skiing. He was regarded by all who knew him as a kind, gentle, and steadfast father, husband and friend, with an extremely sharp wit.

Dale joined the United States Army in 1968 and was assigned to Military Intelligence, first in Germany and then England where he met his wife, Marlena (Figiel). Dale served honorably for 33 years, earning a Bachelor of Science and two Master's Degrees along the way. He retired in 2002 having served at duty stations in England, Hawaii, Canada, Korea, Colorado, Kansas, Washington D.C., Georgia, South Carolina and Germany, where he was the Commander of the Division Support Command, 1st Infantry Division, the famed Big Red One.

A master logistician, his service included deployment to the conflict in Kosovo, and leading the relief efforts following Hurricane Andrew, a category 5 storm, in Florida.

Dale loved to travel. He and Marlena traveled the world from Asia to Africa including Japan, the Philippines, Turkey, Italy, Austria, France, Switzerland, Poland, Ireland and almost every state in the U.S.

Dale is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Marlena; his three children, Josh (Aly) Granger, Tiffany (Ty) Frautschi and Natalie (Jeramy) Biggie; and his grandchildren, Sara and Samantha Frautschi, Jameson and Evangeline Biggie and Emmett Granger. Dale is also survived by his brother Lane (Patty) Granger and his sister Patti (Stan) Misiuk. He will be greatly missed by all for his grounded presence, humility, wisdom and dry humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clovis and Josephine Granger of Adams, MA.

A private family service will be held in Virginia on August 14, 2024. Dale will be laid to rest at Albert G. Horton Jr Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org or Wounded Warriors https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

To share condolences or a memory please visit www.altmeyerfh.com