Dale Coulson McCutcheon was born on the 28th of July 1942 and went to be with the Lord on the 29th of October 2022. He was born in Baton Rouge, LA to Vernon (Cotton) McCutcheon (Daddy) and Kathleen McCutcheon (Mom). He is survived by brother Glen McCutcheon, beloved wife Jackie (of 54 years), son David Michael McCutcheon and wife Emily, daughter Patricia McCutcheon Mullen and husband Neil, and seven wonderful grandchildren: Avery, Madeline and husband Matthew, Phillip, Jack, Cate, Emma, and Claire.
He loved and was devoted to Jackie, their family, and the life that they built together. He took great pride in the accomplishments and of their children and grandchildren and could bore anyone to tears with stories about them (and frequently did). He enjoyed telling the young ones goofy stories (remember Fuzzy Wuzzy, and Harry the Squirrel that lived in Pa-Pa's backyard?). He looked forward to the soccer, basketball, volleyball, piano recitals, dance performances, school plays, band concerts, and church performances - anything that the kids were in. Family togetherness was a tradition for holidays and birthdays. (He did, however, fall short in getting the kids to eat Rutabagas, even though he tried (really tried) at every-Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.) Dale was an avid photographer, radio operator (W5DCM), woodworker, electronics hobbyist, and loved nature (especially the mountains). He and Jackie travelled to most of the lower 48-states, Alaska, Hawaii, and western and far eastern Canada. Destinations always included the National Parks - exploring and hiking. They travelled the backroads - "you see so much more that way".
He had a long and varied career with Texas Instruments (later to become Raytheon). At age nineteen, he was hired as an engineering co-op student in the Apparatus Division of Tl. After graduation, he continued with Tl as a design engineer. After some seven years of design, he found himself in the management side of the business (he would say, "through no plan or fault of his own"). One of the areas managed was the Special Programs (classified) business in Airborne Electro-Optics. He managed this business for 12 years which included the infrared acquisition and designation system (IRADS) for the F-117A Stealth Fighter. He considered IRADS and Special Programs to be the highlight of his career. The acquisition of Tl by Raytheon brought business consolidations, and he acquired increasing levels of management responsibility, eventually retiring as Director, Management Operations for a major business base. He retired in 2004 after 43 years.
While raising a family, working long hours, and extensive business travel, Dale and Jackie opened a real estate investment and management-company in 1978 - Metro Properties. Jackie managed this successful business for some 21 years (and Dale tried to help). After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at his church (audio/video team), the Collin County Homeless Shelter, and most rewarding to him, 7 years with the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center - a non-profit that provides protection, help, healing, hope, and justice for abused and neglected children.
He had a successful career, was a good provider, set positive examples for his children (except for an "occasional" cuss word), provided a safe and stable home environment, and had many experiences (including a close encounter with a bear in Alaska).
Most of all, Dale would want to be remembered as a man that loved his precious wife and his wonderful family and was so blessed to have their love.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.caccollincounty.org/donate/