Oran Dale Mcanulty

Oran “Dale” McAnulty, 91, beloved husband, father and grandfather, was called to his eternal resting place on October 3, 2021. He entered this world on August 6, 1930 in Atoka, OK, born to Eugene and Alice McAnulty.

Dale grew up in Southeastern Oklahoma where he was an all-state football player who earned a scholarship at OU. However, the call of ministry came to him early and his heart moved him to attend Harding College instead. There, he fell in love with his physical education instructor, Imogene McAlister. They married in 1956 and celebrated their 65 ^th anniversary this year.

Dale’s first ministry role was at the Calera Church of Christ. During that time both of his sons were born. The family moved from there to his next preaching position, at the Lakewood, CO, Church of Christ. After 5 years, he started a lifetime of mission work, moving to Lille, France for 15 years where he led the Lille “église du Christ”. He was then the lead minister and an elder for the Crowder Boulevard Church of Christ in New Orleans for 10 years. And at the “young” age of 60, he and Imogene moved to Bucharest Romania for the next 20 years to plant a church. Dale retired to Abilene in 2010 and attended University Church of Christ until his death.

A veteran, Dale served his country during the Korean War, between high school and college. His hobbies included collecting antiques, painting, gardening and traveling. Throughout his life, Dale had a heart for the “stranger” and the “foreigner”. He was fluent in 3 languages and a student of other cultures. Even in retirement, he participated in teaching English with the Bible for ACU students from China.

Preceding Dale in death are his father Eugene McAnulty; mother Alice McAnulty; and his siblings Halgene McAnulty, Margie Durbin, Bob McAnulty, Jack McAnulty & Gerald McAnulty.

He is survived by his spouse Imogene McAnulty, his son Rick and wife Cori, his son David and wife MarDee, and his grandchildren Claire Traganos, Andrew McAnulty, Lydia Moore, Joseph McAnulty, and Erin McAnulty, as well as 7 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2021, 1 pm. at University Church of Christ - Chapel, 733 E.N. 16th Street, Abilene, TX 79601.  Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.