Dale L. Lopshire

Oct. 30, 2008

Published/Last Modified on Sunday, Nov 02, 2008 - 06:20:18 am MST

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Friends and family are mourning the loss of Southern Arizona business pioneer Dale Lopshire, who passed away on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008.

Lopshire operated a Ford, Lincoln, Mercury automobile dealership in the early 1950s in Benson, Ariz. After more than 20 years in Benson, he opened Lopshires Ford in Sierra Vista, Ariz. It may be hard to remember for some Sierra Vista residents, but back when he opened the new car dealership on Highway 92, there wasn’t much there. Lopshire’s vision of the future opened the gates for development along Highway 92 into what it is today.

Dale Lopshire retired from the car business in the early 1980s and then opened a successful real estate brokerage. He also served as executive director of the Southeastern Arizona Contractors Association.

He was very active in both the Benson and Sierra Vista communities. Lopshire was instrumental in the creation of a long running July Fourth celebration in Benson. He also worked very hard to overcome the Interstate 10 bypass of Benson, lobbying state officials for streetlights along Benson’s main street. He founded the “See The Light” sale, where local business owners showcased their business to attract those motorists off the interstate to spend money in town. Benson named Lopshire their “Citizen of the Year” in 1969. He was very active in the chamber of commerce in both Benson and Sierra Vista.

Dale Lopshire was also very active in the Lion’s Club. He chartered several clubs around the state, including Benson and Sierra Vista. He served in many capacities, including Lion’s Club District Governor in 1963 and received numerous awards. The Lion’s Club International Foundation awarded Lopshire with the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest honor conferred by the foundation. He was the first recipient of this award in Arizona.

In addition to the Lions Club, Lopshire also was involved in the Masonic Lodge, holding both local and state offices.

Lopshire led the efforts to bring the Harlem Globetrotter’s training camp to Sierra Vista, including a televised broadcast of the Globetrotter game from Fort Huachuca. During that broadcast, anchored by Howard Cosell, the world got a glimpse of Sierra Vista and Cochise County.

Dale Lopshire served his country in the Navy during World War II. During one of his many missions, he watched American troops converge on Iwo Jima, and even saw the historic raising of both American flags from the bow of his ship.

Dale Lopshire is survived by his wife, Joan. They have three children, Teresa (Bill), Debra and Dave (Kim); seven grandchildren, Penny, Tony, Dustin, Mandy, Richie, Allyson and Aubrey; and four great-grandchildren. He was 82 when he passed away in Benson after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Agnes Lopshire; brothers, Robert and Richard; sisters, Alice and Marge. He is survived by brothers, Frank and Harold; sisters, Kathryn and Jane; nephew, Jim Lopshire (Sherleen); niece, Joanne Miller; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Separate services will be held in Sierra Vista and Benson on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. The first memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Sierra Vista Lutheran Church, 101 N. Lenzner Ave. The second service is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, 590 S. Huachuca St., in Benson. Burial will follow at Cochise Gardens in Benson with military honors.

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MARTY LOPSHIRE HARTMAN wrote on Nov 7, 2008 10:25 AM:

" UNCLE DALE ALWAYS REMINDED ME OF MY DAD HAROLD. I KNOW MY DAD WILL MISS HIS BROTHER EVEN THOUGH THEY ONLY SAW EACH OTHER VERY LITTLE.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU UNCLE DALE AND MAY THE ANGELS CARRY YOU THROUGH THE HEAVENS UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.
LOVE AND PRAYERS,
MARTY "

Jeff Lopshire wrote on Nov 6, 2008 2:00 PM:

" As a youngster of about age 7 or 8, I only saw Uncle Dale once (that I recall) but he seemed "bigger than life" at the time. It was a warm sunny day at the lake and when he and his wife arrived from a long trip, the day seemed to change into something very special. One good memory still goes a long way. "

Douglas Lopshire wrote on Nov 3, 2008 5:03 AM:

" You have our family's deepest sympathy. My father still talks of his life in AZ and the family and memories he left behind. McGee and I will always remember the Lopshire reunion in Sierra Vista and the chance to share some special time together.
Love,
Doug & McGee (Frank too!) "

Henry Donna Cook wrote on Nov 2, 2008 8:08 PM:

" Many the cherished memories in the Masonic and Eastern Star life. He is loved and will be remembered to keep his spirit alive within us. "

Marion B. Stults wrote on Nov 2, 2008 2:25 PM:

" Farewell Dale Lopshire from your old electricity classmate at Fort Wayne, IN Central high school. It was a pleasure knowing you in high school in 1940-41 and in meeting up with you again in Sierra Vista, AZ in 1992. I offer my sincere condolences to Joan and the Lopshire family.

A friend.......Marion B. Stults "

Jeanne Lopshire Tracey wrote on Nov 2, 2008 12:16 PM:

" Aunt Joan and family, My family and I send our sympathy and love. We are so sorry for your loss. Altho so painful, may the love of family help get you all thru this. And then we can hope the healing begins. Love, Your niece and family, Jeanne(Lopshire)Tracey "

Louis Broitman wrote on Nov 2, 2008 6:31 AM:

" My Sincere Condolences to Joan and the Lophire Family!!

A friend..............Louis Broitman "