Mr. William Dale Aldridge of Elkin died on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. He was 78. Following a 28 year career teaching Industrial Education at Elkin High School, he became a licensed real estate broker in 1988 and worked with his son, Gambill at Basin Creek Realty in Elkin. He had many ways he enjoyed spending his time with friends and family, but, over the last 12 years the events and activities he looked forward to most involved his grand-daughter Emma Grace. Dale was a born May 13, 1932 in Elkin. His childhood was spent at 116 Market Street in Elkin at the Home Hotel that was owned by his grandmother, Lura Jane "Janie" Smith Sept. 8, 1872 – Dec. 13, 1954 and managed by his parents Myrtle Roe Smith Aldridge Aug. 17, 1893 – Jan. 23, 1942 and Leslie Earl Aldridge Nov. 17, 1893 – March 15, 1934. Dale's parents came to Elkin in the 1920's from Galax, VA to provide lodging for travelers who came into town on the Southern Railroad. The Home Hotel hosted everyone from carnival performers, and WPA engineers, to itinerate photographers and traveling salesmen. At times when watching old early comedies of "The Little Rascals" Dale would say that his childhood was a lot like that – playing around the railroad yard, on streets and in the allies of Elkin; along the banks of the Elk Creek and Yadkin River. Dale and his wife, Nancy Carroll, were high school sweethearts. They were married on August 9, 1955 at Fairlington Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA while Nancy was in nursing school at Watts Hospital. Dale was serving in the US Army and nursing students were not allowed to be married – so their marriage, arranged by Dale's sister Maxine Marshall, was kept secret from the nursing school. Military Service – Dale enlisted March 2, 1953 in the US Army. His training included "Fixed Radio Repair" in December 1953 and "Radio Intercept Equipment Repair" in July 1954through the Army Security Agency School at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. He was stationed briefly in Kyoto, Japan as part of the US military activity at the end of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged December 2, 1955 in Warrenton, VA. Education – Dale was product of the Elkin City School system, beginning in primary school and graduating June 5, 1950 from Elkin High School. Classmates of EHS 1950 named Dale "Best all-around" and "Most Industrious" in a class whose motto was "We set our sails for a new tomorrow". He played Varsity Football, Basketball and ran Track. Dale's gifts in art were utilized as Art Editor for both The Elk Antler and The Elk. He also held leadership as Junior Class President and in Hi-Y Club, Interclub Council, Spanish Club, Monogram Club, Glee Club, and Explorer Scouts. The humorous class prophecy anticipated Dale ending in Hollywood drawing for the Walt Disney Studios. He studied prior to his Army service at NC State. Following release from the US Army he continued his education, receiving a BS in Industrial Education at East Carolina Teacher's College now East Carolina University in 1959. Continuing education in vocational education included classes at Appalachian State University, UNCG, NC A&T State University and DeForest College in Chicago, Illinois. Teaching – His student teaching was in Washington, NC. Dale's professional teaching began in Elkin in 1958, and taught Industrial Arts and Drafting for 28 years at Elkin High School, retiring in May, 1986. Under Dale's sometimes unique teaching style, hundreds of young men and women learned mechanical drawing, metal working, leatherwork, welding, basic electrical work, woodworking, and small engine repair in the "shop classes" deep in the basement of Elkin High School. He developed teaching tools like "The Big Inch" and found ways to keep the attention of teens with creative projects like building crossbows or wiring almost any object into a lamp. EHS Junior classes were always thrilled to have Mr. Aldridge as a class advisor when trying to do create a remarkable prom for Seniors. And, any class with Dale as their advisor had an unfair advantage in homecoming float construction. On the evening of home football games he was a fixture at the lower gates to the EHS Football field. The Elk Yearbook of 1965 was dedicated to Dale "whose cheerful personality, contagious enthusiasm, and able assistance in all school endeavors has inspired our maturity and achievement, and whose willingness to serve has proven to be an integral part of our schools progress." In a May 1986 interview by "The Elk Antler" at the time of his retirement he said, "I have enjoyed being a teacher and friend to my students. I have also enjoyed the friendship and professionalism of the other teachers during the years." And "if I had to make a career decision again, I would still decide to be an teacher of Industrial Arts". He also taught evening wood-working classes in Elkin for Surry Community College. A lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Elkin he held a number of offices. Much of his service to the church was as Assistant Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 648. Dale was an Eagle Scout, receiving this top Scouting rank in 1948 as the 4th Eagle of BSA Troop 48 which is now 648. In 1981 he was named as Scouter of the Year for Laurel District of the Old Hickory Council. An unknown number of scouts passed many ranks and countless merit badges with the tutoring and projects initiated by Dale. Family – He is survived by his sister and her family, Olga Maxine Marshall Ralph Marshall of Springfield, VA, two sons: Wm. D. "Chip" Aldridge, Jr Wayne Fisher of Brandywine, MD; Gambill Ross Aldridge Amy Olinger Aldridge and a grand-daughter, Emma Grace Aldridge of Elkin, NC. He is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Carroll Gambill Aldridge February 17, 2004 and a brother, Leslie Eugene "Gene" Aldridge June 28, 1998. A celebration his life will be at First United Methodist Church, 340 Hawthorne Road, Elkin, NC 28621 on Sunday, May 1 at 5:00 pm. They will receive friends following the service. The family requests that memorial donations be made to Boy Scout 648 c/o First United Methodist Church, PO Box 69, Elkin, NC 28621. The troop is renovating the Boy Scout Hut where Dale served as Assistant Scoutmaster for many years alongside Scoutmaster Mack B. Overcash. Any gift toward continuing the outreach which they enjoyed will be greatly appreciated.
