March 5, 1936 – July 6, 2022
Dale Dwight Douglass was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma on March 5, 1936, the only child of Hal and Phyllis Douglass. When Dale was 13, the family moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado. A move which marked the beginning of his lifelong love affair with the game of golf. Dale practically lived on the course at Fort Morgan Country Club, where his father was later to become the Golf Professional. Fort Morgan was also where Dale met the other love of his life, Joyce Lebsock. The two were high school sweethearts, and then college sweethearts at the University of Colorado. They married in 1958. What followed was a beautiful 58 years of marriage, in which their devotion to one another, in sickness and in health, in poverty and wealth, was an inspiration to all who knew them.
A remarkable 51 of those years, they spent traveling together from tournament to tournament on the PGA Tour. Dale struggled at times, but eventually enjoyed hard-earned success. He won three times on the regular tour and was chosen to represent the United States on the 1969 Ryder Cup team. Dale’s most successful years came after he joined the Senior Tour in 1986 (now the Champion’s Tour). He won 11 times on that tour, including the 1986 U.S. Senior Open. In addition, he teamed with Charles Coody to win the Legends of Golf three times. Dale’s long career playing professional tournament golf is worthy of record books. Only four other players have had more starts, than Dale, over the span of their careers. And only one other player, Miller Barber, teed it up more times on the Champions Tour.
The game of golf rewarded Dale for his lifetime of devotion. It gave him his livelihood, of course. It also gave him the tests of skill and character that shaped him and allowed him to earn the respect and admiration of his peers; it gave him wonderful, lifelong friends. And throughout, Dale gave back. He established the Dale Douglass Classic in his hometown of Fort Morgan, which provides college scholarships to aspiring young players. Whether on the course or off, whether in the company of golf’s elite, or weekend hackers, Dale was unfailingly gracious, generous and kind. He was an enthusiastic and eloquent ambassador for the game he loves and a true gentleman.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Hal and Phyllis Douglass, and by his dear wife Joyce, in 2016. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Eileen Lindell of Brush, CO, Barbara Lebsock of Highlands Ranch, CO and Helen Lebsock of Littleton, CO. Nephews: Kip Lebsock, Kent Lindell, John Lindell, and Anthony Martin. Nieces: Marilyn Crandell, Gayle Lindell, Diane Balken, Lorna Griesback, Valerie Manning, Kelly Lebsock, Amy Reed, and Barbara Jacobson. Cousins: Deborah Gagnon, William Edward Perry, and J. Preston McMurry Perry. Additionally, numerous great and great, great nephews and nieces, as well as many dear friends. All those whose lives he touched will remember the way Dale put people at ease, his wonderful dry sense of humor, his generosity, and his kindness.
Michael Fote
19 Jul 2022Dale Douglass is the BEST! My brother caddied for him in Hartford when I was 8 years old in the seventies. My sister and I watched him every day at the Connecticut PGA stop for years. He and Joyce never forgot us. He made me one of his biggest fans by his approachability, personality, sense of humor and kindness. Over the years at various tour stops in NJ, PA & IL my wife and children also made Dale their sports hero. He was our Tiger Woods! We especially enjoyed that his last best finish on the PGA tour was a runner up to Rod Funseth in Wethersfield. Dale’s success on the Senior Tour was truly a joy to watch. Me, my wife and children have lost a true sports legend who taught us to love the game of golf and the importance of treating all people well! Dale you will be missed. Rest in peace as you reunite with the love of your life in Joyce. God bless my golf idol and friend!
Ed Perry
25 Jul 2022When I was young, my mother would tell us stories of her childhood which included tales of her years living with her older sister, Phyllis (Aunt Phiddy), and Uncle Hal. She helped raise Dale during those early years before WWII and she and Dale were always very, very close. Since my father was a career Air Force officer, we occasionally had a chance to see my mother’s favorite nephew but through the years, we followed Dale’s career closely. When we did get an opportunity to spend time with Dale and Joyce, usually at a tournament in San Antonio, they proved to be two of the kindest and most generous souls we have ever known and our lives were richer for it.