Dale Gene Scales

DALE GENE SCALES

June 30, 1935 – May 10, 2025

Bakersfield – Dale Gene Scales, affectionately known as "Papa Dale," passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on June 30, 1935, in McCurtain, Oklahoma, on a Sunday morning to Mark and Emma Scales. The Scales' family, Mark, Emma, Bonnie, Robert, Glynn and Dale moved to California as migrants during the Dust Bowl era. They settled in Earlimart, California, and finally Shafter, California, where Dale grew up and attended Rio Bravo School and Shafter High School, lettering in baseball, basketball, and football. At the age of fifteen, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior. His faith in Jesus Christ shaped his entire life.

Upon graduating from Shafter High, he went on to play professional baseball in the minor leagues and finally came home to begin his college education, finishing up with his Master's Degree and three teaching credentials in agriculture. He taught agriculture at Bakersfield College for twelve years. Dale then became a Farm Real Estate Broker for fifty years, selling farm land up and down the Valley many times over as well as a Real Estate Developer. He also enjoyed flying his plane for business and pleasure, but his greatest mission was sharing Jesus wherever he went. Whether he was meeting a farmer out in the fields or having breakfast or lunch at the local diners, Dale lived each day with purpose and generosity. He always began his day asking God to give him someone to share the gospel with, and the Lord answered faithfully. His mission to be an ambassador for Christ was clear, and that's exactly what he did.

Dale, his wife Jan, and family have attended Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield for 28 years, where Dale served many years on the church board.

A celebration of Dale's life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Valley Baptist Church, 4800 Fruitvale Avenue, at 10:00am with a reception to follow.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jan Scales, his children Charise Richards (John), Dan Scales (Michelle), Aimee Guess (Troy); his grandchildren Danielle, Whitney, Austin, Summer, Kallie, Kimree, Kaitlyn, Jase; and great grandchildren Lotus, AJ, Mason, Hudson, Felicity, Kenna, Barrett, Sequoia, Breanna, Arianna, Judah, and Ariyah.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mark and Emma Scales, his sister Bonnie Nugent, and his two brothers Robert and Glynn Scales. Dale was larger than life and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.