Dale Ross Caten

CATEN, Dale Ross, age 51, of Fenton, died Sunday June 17, 2007 at home surrounded by his family, after a long battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held 2PM Saturday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton.  Chaplain Gerald Woodruff officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Hills Cemetery. Visitation will be held 6-8PM Thursday and 11-1 and 4-8PM Friday at the funeral home.  Dale was born March 18, 1956 in Flint the son of Julius and Betty (Rhea) Caten. He was a 1974 graduate of Flint Southwestern Community High School and achieved Eagle Scout that year also. Dale married Cindy Burton in Flint on August 2, 1980. Dale had many skills that included working construction as a brick layer and mason tender. He also worked at the 7-UP Bottling Plant in Flint. He officiated hockey for Pee Wee through High School leagues at the old IMA Arena and Four Seasons Arena. In 1986, Dale joined the Fenton Township Fire Department, progressing up the ranks through the years to Deputy Chief, and was a member of M.U.S.A.R. He taught Hazardous Material classes, and was a Genesee County Fire Academy Course Manager since 2001. He was awarded a life membership of Genesee County Fire Chiefs Association in May 2006. He graduated from Mott Community College in 1992 with Associate Degrees in Fire Science, Fire Studies, and General Business.  After Dale's diagnosis with Stage IV colon cancer on February 8, 2001 he continued to follow his goals and dreams in education. In 2004, Dale achieved his Bachelor Degree in Business Management from Northwood University. With standard care of chemotherapy failing, Dale went to Barbara Ann Karmonos of Detroit for phase-1 study drug treatments, where 3 trial drugs went to market. His hobbies included firefighting, planting and growing Lillies, wood working (making wirley-gigs), and watching his children in school activities and sports.  He was a loving husband, father and son. Surviving are his wife, Cindy of Fenton; 3 children, Scott Caten of Virginia Beach,  Julie Caten, Adam Caten, wife Debbie and soon expected granddaughter Addyson Margaret all of Fenton; father, Julius Caten of Grand Blanc; brother, Julius Caten Jr. and wife Cathy and their children, Jimmy, Joe and Jeff of Richardson TX, and  Theresa Peters and husband Nick of Maryland; and many aunts, uncles, and special adopted family friends, especially the brothers and sisters through fire service. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Caten.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Dale R. Caten Memorial Fund, c/o The State Bank.Those desiring may share online condolences or post a tribute at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com