Dale Bartz

Dale Estel Bartz passed peacefully the evening of August 17, 2014 in Kingwood, Texas, at the age of 91. Dale was born April 2, 1923 in Osage County, Lyndon Kansas. His parents were Herman Bartz Jr. and Leona McCormick Bartz. Siblings include 3 sisters, Naomi, Wilma and Levina. Dale was a veteran of 2 wars, serving in the Navy during WWII from 1944 to 1946, including an active duty assignment at Pearl Harbor, receiving the Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Later, Dale re-enlisted and served in the Korean War. Altogether, Dale served 10 years, 3 months, and 22 days in honorable service of our country in the US Navy. Between and during wars, Dale worked as a welder and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, receiving a Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy. Dale was honorably discharged in 1952, and settled in Socorro, New Mexico. Later, Dale moved to Santa Rosa, where he met and married the love of his life, Annie Romo. They married in 1955 in Santa Rosa, and owned first Santa Rosa Drug and then City Drug for about 30 years. He was a member of St Rose of Lima Parish, active in the Santa Rosa Lions Club and in most all local school and community events and functions. He cherished his years in Santa Rosa. Dale and Annie had 4 children while living in Santa Rosa, Patty, Gerry, Kiti, and Sharon. Dale and Annie sold City Drug and moved to Kermit, Texas in 1982, where he worked as a pharmacist at the local hospital until 1995. Annie passed away in 1991, and Dale remained in Kermit until his semi-retirement in 1995. Following retirement, Dale worked as relief pharmacist throughout West Texas for many hospitals and independent pharmacies. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus West Texas Ministry. He enjoyed traveling, visiting with family and friends, and doting on his grandchildren. Following a stroke in 1998, Dale moved to Ft. Stockton, and later to Midland, Texas, where he remained fairly independent until later in his life. Dale moved permanently to Humble Texas in 2012, where he lived with his daughter Sharon and her family. Dale was preceded in death by his wife Annie, and survived by his sisters Naomi Ferguson of Poteet Texas, Wilma and Jim McDonough of Loveland, Colorado, and Levina Schmidt of Loveland, Colorado, his 4 children Patty Bartz and partner Britt Panter of Kettle Falls Washington, Gerry and Rita Bartz of Whittier California, Kathryn (Kiti) and Bruce Bartz of Kingwood, Texas, and Sharon and Ron Rounsaville of Humble Texas. Dale is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren: Kristiana and John Santiago and great grand daughters Ashlyn Tice and Makayla Santiago of Spring, Texas; Meghan Collins of San Angelo, Texas; Taylor Collins of Humble, Texas; Ryan Rounsaville of Lubbock Texas; Gerard Bartz, Fredrick Bartz, and Hailey Padilla of Whittier, California; Bryan and Yvonne Bartz and great granddaughters Savannah, Isabella and Gracie Bartz, of San Angelo,Texas; and many nieces, nephews and other family members throughout Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Rosary services will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, NM on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 10am followed by Mass of Christian Burial with Father Thomas Kayammakal officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers will be Bruce Bartz, Ron Rounsaville, John Santiago, Bryan Bartz, Gerard Bartz, Moses Marquez and Simon Romo. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Phillip Romero, Benny Romo, Jeffery Romo, Ryan Rounsaville, Bruno Romo and brothes, Alfred Baca, Jr. and all of Dale's many nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dale’s name to Autism Speaks on behalf of Frederick Bartz Dale was a great husband, brother, father and friend to many in Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico, and will be dearly missed. All services for Mr. Bartz have been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South 3rd Street, Santa Rosa, NM (575) 472-3369. To place an online condolence please visit our website at www.chavezfuneralhome.com