Dale was born to Fidel Leon Tafolla Sr and Vermer Loyce Rains in San Antonio, Texas. He legally changed his birth name, Fidel Leon Tafolla Jr. to Dale Fidel Hicks at age 16. Dale had two sisters, Dorothy Jane Williams and Elizabeth Lambert, a younger brother Donald Tofolla and a half-sister, Larua Tofolla. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy as a minor. His first assignment was on a Blimp as a radio man out of Newport, Rhode Island. Dale was accepted in to the Navy's NESEP college program. He was sent to NCS where he earned a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. While at NCS, he was accepted into the TAU BETA PHI fraternity. The Navy sent Dale on two tours to Vietnam on the destroyer Richard B. Anderson. Dale then went into the Submarine Service. His first boat was a diesel, the Cavalla and his last boat was a nuclear submarine, the Seawolf. In the early seventies, Dale left the active Navy and entered the Naval Reserves and moved to the Tri-Cities. He went to work for Westinghouse. He left Westinghouse and went to work for Huico. While working for Huico, he met and married his wife, Charlett McCaleb and adopted her son, Kerry L. Hicks. Soon after Huico left the Tri-Cities, Dale went back to work for Westinghouse, then Flour Daniels Inc. and finally Numatec. He retired from Numatec after they lost their contract. Dale also retired from the Naval Reserves with a total of 27 years served in the Navy and Navy Reserves with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During Dale and Charlett's marriage, they enjoyed Snow Skiing, Deep Sea Fishing, travelling, camping and travelling in their motorhome. Dale also loved reading, playing cards and watching pro football. Dale was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Donald Tafolla. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Charlett, his son Kerry (wife Vicky), granddaughter Kayla and grandson Kody. Special thanks to their dear friends in the Three Rivers Sams RV Group, to Charlett's sisters in Laureate Beta Delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, and to the caregivers of Total Care and especially, HOSPICE at The Chaplaincy and Charlett's good friend Nancy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Fisher House, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850. There will be a memorial service for Dale at a later date.