Dale Abbas

Dale Lee Abbas, 67, died at home Saturday, September 18, 2004, the result of pancreatic cancer. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2004 at Brooks Funeral Care-University Chapel, 7975 University Blvd, followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery.

Dale was born September 5, 1937 to John Engle and Pauline Marie (DeVries) Abbas in Hampton, Iowa. He grew up in Latimer, graduating from Franklin Consolidated High School (now known as CAL Community). He enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in Oklahoma, North Carolina and Okinawa. Following discharge he moved to Des Moines where he worked in the Computer Service Field until his health declined.

Dale was united in marriage to Martha Lorraine Brodrick in Des Moines, Iowa on October 20, 1957. To that union were born three children, Julie, Beth, Michael Dale and Jeffrey Alan.

Dale was a Lay Leader and Lay Minister in the United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School. He was a volunteer for the Cancer Society of Iowa, the National Kidney Foundation and Polk County Child Care Resource Center. He was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous with more than 31 years of sobriety. He served A.A. in various service positions at the local, district, state and World Service levels. He loved traveling, fishing, reading, watching NASCAR and caring for his cats.

Dale was known for his kind, gentle and loving spirit. He often said, "I always liked that guy! (or gal)" That's also how most people viewed him.

Surviving are his wife, Martha; a daughter, Julie Long (Daniel) of Des Moines; two sons, Michael Abbas (Michelle) of Memphis, TN, and Jeffrey Abbas (Haruhi) of Iowa City; six granddaughters, Ilana Lorraine Dennis of Barstow, CA, Jessie Lee Dennis of Des Moines, Alyssa Michelle and Elise Marie Abbas of Memphis, TN, and Hayley Haruhi and Akane Olivia Abbas of Iowa City; and a great-granddaughter, Caitlyn Iris Wood of Barstow, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Edward; a sister, Ruth Yakel; and a granddaughter, Kecia Marie Abbas.

Visitation will be held after 5 p.m. Friday with the family present from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Care-University Chapel. Memorials may be directed to Dale's family.