Rev. Dale Allen Fitch

1949 - 2021

Rev. Dale Allen Fitch

Dale Allen Fitch originally of Valparaiso, Indiana, recently of Cathedral City, California, born March 12, 1949 to Donald Osborne Fitch and Iretta (Pence) Fitch, went to be with Jesus December 28, 2020 due to COVID-19.

Pastor Dale, as he was affectionately called by many, was most recently Compassionate Ministries Pastor at New Hope Church of the Nazarene in Cathedral City, running the food pantry and unhomed persons ministry called Hands of Hope. In a life dedicated to service, he had been pastor in Costa Mesa, California at the Lighthouse for a decade starting a ministry for transitional housing that continues to this day, Pastoral Relations Administrator at the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles, in addition to various pastorates and ministry positions around the country in Kansas City, Missouri, Hammond, Indiana, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Maywood, California, and Buffalo, New York. For the last few years, Pastor Dale also worked at the Palm Springs Walmart and loved playing Santa Claus every year for the children. In 2020, he published his first book, God to the Last Drop, and there is no question he loved life, Jesus, people, dogs and coffee - not necessarily in that order. He held a Masters in Religious Education from Nazarene Theological Seminary, a Bachelors in English from Olivet Nazarene University, and was working on a doctorate from Vanguard University.

Pastor Dale was preceded in death by both of his natural parents, Don and Iretta, as well as his dear step-mother, Nina (Nielsen) Fitch and brother-in-law Gary McKinley. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 and a half years, Patricia (Holmgren); his four adored children: Jennifer (Tom) Jensen, Stephanie (Don) Dorough, Kimberly (Lee) Holdren, and Matthew (Holly) Fitch; his 11 devoted grandchildren: Chris (Erin) Jensen, Kyle McDougal, Zach Stephan, Briana McDougal, Shelby Jensen, Ashlee Stephan, Cynthia McDougal, Amber Litt, Alex Machado, Zoe Fitch-Salas, Marc Holdren; 4 precious great-grandchildren Willow Faraone, Sophia Jensen, Orion Stephan, Harlyn McDougal; his step-sisters: Vicki (Wozniak) McKinley, Sharlene "Charlie" (Wozniak) (Eric) Whitlock as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A virtual service will be scheduled in January, please watch the New Hope Church of the Nazarene page for details on when. In addition, an in-person memorial will be scheduled as soon as practically permitted. Cremation rites will be accorded privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hands of Hope in Cathedral City, California or the Lighthouse of Costa Mesa in Costa Mesa, California.