Dale Leon Banister – May 28, 2022

March 4, 1948 – May 28, 2022

Dale was born in Mound City, KS, to Wilbur and Lela Banister Cross, both deceased. His parents moved to Manitou Springs when Dale was 7 months old, later moving to Colorado Springs. He attended Midland Elementary and West Jr. High, moved to Englewood, CO, and graduated from Englewood High. Dale was a proud Army veteran, having enlisted in the Army after high school. He certified at Ft. Belvoir, VA, as a cartographic and topographic engineer, served in South Vietnam during the TET Offensive, June 1968 – June 1969, completing his active duty at Ft. Carson, CO, in 1970. He finished his military service as an Air Force reservist from 1989-91.

Dale worked in Denver as a land surveyor, moved to Colorado Springs, and began work as an architectural engineering draftsman, later working as a topographic design draftsman, and a gas pipeline draftsman for Colorado Interstate Gas/El Paso Natural Gas until his retirement in 2010. In his free time, Dale enjoyed his grandchildren, playing tennis, softball and volleyball, sponsoring church youth activities and being on the television ministry at First United Methodist Church for more than 20 years.

Dale succumbed May 28, 2022, to diabetes and renal failure, which were directly related to his exposure to Agent Orange while in Vietnam. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rita, daughter, Kaye (Dillon) Jones, and the very special part of his life, his grandchildren, Bella and Markus. He was always very proud of his younger brothers, Mathew (Cindy) and David (Carole) Cross, and their families who also survive him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the Television Ministry at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903, or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Inurnment will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022 at Pikes Peak National Cemetery.