Stephen Dale Dials, 60, of Fredericksburg died Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at home.
Mr. Dials was a graduate of Marshall University where he was a member of the football team. He retired from Spotsylvania County Schools as Athletic Director at Spotsylvania High School. He taught Government at Fredericksburg Christian High School for the last eight years. Mr. Dials was a member of Encounter Church of God in Spotsylvania where he was a Senior Adult Sunday School class teacher.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Cindy Dials; daughter, Addie Dials of Fredericksburg; grandson, Cooper Dale Dials of Fredericksburg; two brothers, Tom Dials of Leavenworth, Kansas and Jim Dials of Fredericksburg; several nieces and nephews; and an “adopted daughter and grandson,” Kelly Spencer and her son, Jaxon Huff of Fredericksburg. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Ginny Dials.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday, August 24 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.
A funeral service will be held at 10am Saturday, August 25 at Encounter Church of God. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Encounter Church of God, 12240 Five Mile Rd., Fredericksburg, VA, 22407.
Coach, you will be missed. You touched the lives of many youth over the years, from the field to the classroom. We celebrate your life, you will forever be a Spotsy Knight.
I’ll always remember your kind face in the halls of Spotsy High. You touched so many lives.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you in this most difficult time. We are all here for you…
My condolences to Steve’s family. As we mourn the passing of such a wonderful, warm and loving person we must also recognize that we should celebrate his life. Steve led a life that made a difference for thousands of students and athletes over the past 40 years. He was a great teammate, colleague, teacher, friend, husband and parent. Steve was a special person who had a great sense of humor but could be serious about anything when he needed to be. His students really liked being in his class because he made it fun to learn but motivated them to realize the importance of what he was teaching them. He did the same thing when he was coaching and because of that he is leaving a legacy that will last forever. I will miss Steve greatly but I will always remember the good times that we spent together and treasure the memories that we shared. May God bless you always Stephen Dials!
Mr. Dials was very dear to our family. He went out of his way to help us when no one else would. He will be missed.
“Please know that you have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband. I know that there is little I can say to console you but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.”
Steve was for many years a dedicated member of the 64th Regiment of Foot, an organization dedicated to portraying the living history of a British regiment that served in the American Revolution. He was dedicated to accurate portrayals of history, held numerous leadership positions, taught so many of our new members. His wry sense of humor will be greatly missed. We send our condolences to Cindy, Addie and the rest of Steve’s family. We share your loss, but are heartened in our belief that a love held in this world, is not forgotten in the world to come.
To a fellow Marshall graduate and colleague –
Steve, I have such good memories of you as a teacher and coach at Spotsylvania High School. You truly made a positive difference in the lives of many students and co-workers. Thank you for the memories and you will be missed.
I didn’t know Steve but I want to wish God’s blessings on a great Son of Marshall. I understand he was a member of the 1970 team but wasn’t on the trip to East Carolina. After reading his obituary and the other things posted here about him I know he’s in Heaven with his deceased family members and his teammates from the Herd.
This makes me so sad. I have vivid recollection of Mr. Dials in Sociology class. I can still hear his voice. My heart goes out to his family, for I am sure they are as wonderful as he was.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Mr. Dials was my 12th grade government teacher at Spotsylvania High School and also my softball coach. He was such a wonderful teacher and great coach. He was one of the teachers that inspired me and one that always remembered. God bless your family during this terrible loss.
Steve you will truly be missed. I always enjoyed the times we all shared with the 64th Foot. I salute you my brother in arms. Farewell but not forgotten.
He was a memorable teacher and will be greatly missed. So sorry for your loss.
I have many fond memories of and with Steve. I, as I know others, will miss him very much.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE DIALS FAMILY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME.MR. DIALS WAS A GREAT MAN WHO CARED ABOUT EVERYONE.I HAD THE PRIVLEDGE TO KNOW HIM AS I WAS A STUDENT,ATHLETE AT SPOTSY HIGH. HE WILL BE MISSED.
My thoughts and prayers goes out for you and your family,Mr,Dials was a good man, I was a cafeteria manager, at Spotsylvania High we feed the football players every Friday night when they played,he was a good person to me,I enjoyed cooking for them, I know you will miss him, He has gone to a better place call Haven, GOD BE WITH YOU,
Cindy,
You and your family are in my prayers. May God give you strenght at this difficult time.
Regina Clayton
I had Mr. Dials for government as a senior at WSHS back in 1981-1982. He was such a great teacher who had a great sense of humor; I always enjoyed his class. Over the past 30 years, my husband and I have remembered him fondly. He was a true gentleman that I never forgot. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. May God wrap his arms around you and give you strength during this time. God Bless you Mr. Dials and rest in peace.
Just this past week while cutting grass I started to laugh about how we used to give Coach Dials so much grief about having to play football on all those rocks out behind the old/old Spotsy High. Those fields he gave us looked better than my yard does now. I remember thinking about how much fun we used to have with Coach Dials. There are a lot of folks out there that know what I am talking about by the post I am seeing. I am very sorry to hear about Coach’s passing. It was a pleasure to have known him. RIP Coach, you touched more lives than you could have realized.
Cindy,
I am so sorry to hear about Steve. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Tom,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Gone but not forgotten.
Pam
Coach Dials – WSHS 1978 girls track and field. What a job to handle a large group of teenage girls!! But he did it – I’ll always remember my last meet, where he put me in to run a leg on the mile relay…. considering my normal event was 80 yard hurdles I thought he wasn’t serious but he was. Needless to say I survived!
Cindy, Jim, Tom and the Dials Family:
Rest in peace Steve Dials! No, wait get up, get on that sideline and continue coaching. I know that is what your doing right now. All great, good coaches are still coaching and teaching us the game of life on this earth. He was a great coach and teacher. Steve may have lost the battle, after a few months, but he has won the true CHAMPIONSHIP. I have known Steve for 46 years, His passing has made it one of the most difficult times of my 60 years. I am sad that my good friend is gone. But, Steve would not want that. He was always cheerful and always knew the things to say to make you feel good. He was a fun guy to have as a friend. Most of Steve’s six decades on this earth have been spent coaching and teaching. I grew to admire and respect his will and determination, as well as his passion coaching, teaching the game of “life.” Over the years, Steve has influenced not hundreds but thousands of men and women. This earth is truly a better place because of Steve Dials. We all loved you man!!!
Cindy,
The thoughts and prayers of your entire work family are with you in this difficult time.
CINDY AND ADDIE,
STEVE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN AND WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE HIM AS A FRIEND. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE REST OF THE DIALS FAMILY.
He gave so much to Spotsy as a teacher and coach. I had him for A.P. Government and as a softball coach. I remember him offering us extra credit to attend a Civil War reenactment he participated in and to interview the soldiers. What a memorable experience. My condolences to his family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I taught at Spotsy with Steve for many years and also helped him sell tickets at athletic events. He was a great person and will be missed!
What a loss. The gentle giant with such a wonderful sense of humor. I only found out how sick he was recently, and had the good sense to send him an email. I am the retired Ensign in our beloved “hobby” of portrail of the 64th Regiment. As you all know, he was not one to just study something, he had to emerse himself in the lifestyle. I reminded him of one special event — when he got so carried away with the battle he didn’t realize his musket was not going off. He loaded and fired multiple times until the spark finally set the gun off. I was next to him, and as he flew over backward nearly took me and the 6′x6′ flag with him. He was ok but bruised.
I was so pleasantly surprised to receive an email back in a few days and was so glad I could give him a much needed chuckle. God speed Steve. You will be sorely missed!
Dear Dials’ Family…we loved Mr. Dials and have many fond memories, stories & smiles from our time knowing him. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
I am Sorry to here of the loss of Mr. Dials, He was one of the best teachers I ever had. I will always remember the first day of class in my Junior year at Spotsy when he was doing the roll call and he looked down at my name then looked at me and asked if I had sisters that went to WSHS. I said yes and he said Oh No. I hope you are not like them. His humor was the best. He was a great man and will sorely be missed. His family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Cindy and Addie, please know we are thinking about you. I was so shocked to hear the news. We will keep you in our prayers and for your heart to be at peace. Mr. Dials was such a wonderful man.
To the Family…………It was a great honor to work with Coach Dials. I will always remember those fond Spotsy High memories!!! Thanks Coach! You enriched my teaching career and my life!!!!
Steve Dials hired me when I was a young coach and gave me an opportunity to coach football and learn how to become a better coach and person. Steve was always a proud father and grandfather and husband; He leaves a true legacy of service and making a difference in young people’s lives as well as those who were lucky enough to have worked along side of him on those hot summer days in August and the cool fall nights in October during the season; Rest well Coach and save me a spot on the team!
I so enjoyed working with Steve at FCS. He was always such a hoot at lunch! He loved his students so much and expected much from them. He will be sorely missed.
I am so saddened to learn of Steve’s passing. He was truly a “Gentleman Volunteer” in the 64th. I know he touched hundreds of lives as an educator, historian, and friend.
One of my favorite memories of Steve was from our group’s last stay in the barracks at Ft. Frederick. Steve had all of us rolling with laughter as we played cards, sang, and told tall tales through the night. We never noticed when the electricity went out, or the snow that fell that night.
Godspeed, Steve. We’ll miss you around the campfire.
To the Dials’ family, I am so sad to hear about your loss. Mr. Dials was my government teacher as well as my football coach at Spotsylvania High School in 1985. Over the years I have told many some of the things that Coach Dials said and did that I thought was so funny. Mr. Dials met my mom earlier this year and he told her that he would always see my son in the news paper, as he played football for Courtland the last four years. He told my mom to tell me that he was proud of me. I told my mom to hear Mr. Dials say that, felt like my own father telling me that he was proud of me. When my mom saw him again a few weeks later she told him that what he had said meant a lot to me. Mr. Dials was loved and respected by so many and he will be sorely missed. JOHN 11:25. REVELATION 21:3,4
To the family we are saddened to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Many great memories of Steve while reenacting with the 64th,from him standing up to a troublemaker in bluemont to good times in williamsburg and places everywhere in between. I was beside him in line during the shooting incident referred to by jackie bradbury above. The look on his face was priceless. His humour was always there at a moments notice. Always ready to help and always dedicated. Cindy and Addie, be strong! Steve, we’ll miss you Big Guy!Rest in Peace,my friend.
Cindy:
I am still thinking of and praying for you and your family!
Mr. Dials,
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You were a GREAT counselor and awesome government teacher. You made that class so fun and interesting. Your energy and excitement about the topics always kept me focused and ready to learn in class. [You also had good stories and jokes
We will miss you very much. I look forward to the day I see you again!
To the Dials Family, Steve was a wonderful teacher and Athletic Director. He made coaching at Spotsy a real pleasure. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. I was out of town and unable to attend the services. God bless each of you!