Daniel L Dulworth Obituary
Daniel L. Dulworth, 71, lost his battle with brain cancer, putting up a valiant fight, on February 24, 2023, surrounded by family at his home in Washington, Utah.
Dan was born in Shirley, Massachusetts, to Grady and Zetta Dulworth. His family made their home in Anadarko, Oklahoma, where they were very active in their local community owning several businesses and were members of the Assembly of God Church. Dan graduated from Anadarko High School in 1969.
Dan and his wife Caroline (Douglas) were high school sweethearts having met in 1968 and were married in 1971.
Dan attended Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, graduating in 1973, with his bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He joined the Marine Corps in 1974, serving six years in Cherry Point, North Carolina. He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant in l974. Dan earned many awards and accolades during his time as a Marine serving as Embarkation Officer, Air Defense Traffic Manager and earning the National Defense Service Medal and Rifle and Pistol Expert Badges. Dan was also a private pilot.
After service to his Country, Dan worked for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, for 6 years, as a mechanical engineer.
The sunny skies of San Diego beckoned to him with a job offer at General Dynamics in 1984. He enjoyed 10 years at this position while raising their son, Joe, and loving the southern California lifestyle. He obtained his master’s degree from National University in 1989.
Dan found the career in 1995 that would fulfill and challenge his engineering mind and where he would make many lifelong co-workers and friends at Qualcomm in San Diego. For over 27 years, Dan worked on a wide variety of demanding, intriguing and challenging projects. As a mechanical engineer, he achieved numerous awards, commendations and pending Patents based on his designs and accomplishments.
Dan retired in 2022, ready to enjoy his new home in Utah and time with his wife, Caroline, and family. He was eager to play pickleball, golf, hike, bike and travel. Dan also had very fine-tuned woodworking skills, many which are showcased in his home.
Dan loved and cherished his family. He was so proud of the accomplishments of each of us, especially his son Joe, and Joe's family.
Anyone who knew Dan also knew how competitive he was. They knew the "look" he would give to anyone, all too well.
Whether he was snow skiing with beloved close friends, sailing in the Pacific Ocean, jet skiing at Lake Powell, driving one of his beautiful, fast cars, he never stopped loving the excitement and thrill of adventure. He cherished his San Diego racquetball friends (having won many awards with them) and his newly found pickleball friends in his new home in Utah.
Dan is survived by his wife of 52 years, Caroline (Douglas), son Joe (Andrea), a very special granddaughter, sister, Gayla Stephens of Anadarko, Oklahoma, niece Samantha Howard (Dylan) of Houston, Texas, his loved Aunt Dee Butts, her son Mike, (Jan), of Riverside, CA, beloved Uncle Jim Garvin of Chickasha, OK, his cousins and many extended relatives too numerous to name. He loved and cherished each and every one of you.
Dan was preceded in death by his beloved parents, maternal and paternal grandparents and great grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Dan's family would like to thank all those who helped us love and make Dan comfortable to the end of his life. St. George Regional Hospital (Rehabilitation Department especially), Dixie Home Health Care, at home health care providers, and especially Heidi who went above and beyond the call of duty to assist in all manners in her care of Dan while at home. Caroline will never forget your dedication, your patience, and your commitment to Dan's care and comfort. Caroline did her very best to make sure his every want and need was met with all her love and determination.
Dan, you are gone from us physically but know you will live on in my heart and the hearts of those who loved and knew you forever. You will always be my blue-eyed boyfriend.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Dan's name to any organization that will continue the fight against any form of Cancer that steals our loved ones from us far too soon.
Dan's local Celebration of Life will be held in St. George on April 1, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Please email Caroline at [email protected] for details regarding this service.
Dan will be laid to rest at Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego with full military honors at a future date. There will be notifications on social media as and the Serenity Funeral Home website.
There will be a final Celebration of Dan's life for our Oklahoma families and friends at a future date in Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
The information will also be at http://www.serenitystg.com. Please feel free to share tributes, messages, and remembrances of Dan on this site.
Dan's family would be honored to have you attend and share your memories of Dan at any of these celebrations. Please reach out to Caroline at [email protected].
