Celebrating A Life Well Lived – Dale Strate Day To Be Observed

Although he’s been gone five years, friends, family and the community still remembers the legacy of Dale Strate and all of the lives he touched.

That is why, every year on February 4, we celebrate Dale Strate Day in Holden.

Dale was called home on January 27, 2017 and was laid to rest on February 4, 2017.

Holden Mayor Doyle Weeks then proclaimed February 4 as “Dale Strate Day” in Holden, in honor of Dale’s longtime service and commitment to this community.

Dale was a lifelong Holden resident and businessman, owning and operating Strate’s Drive-Inn with his wife Linda.

His “larger than life” personality touched so many in this community, and friends and family, although they are still heartbroken by the loss, choose to celebrate his life each year on February 4.

Dale left behind many good memories and a lot of laughter for his customers, friends and family.

Dale and Linda, (his Arkansas Sweetheart), bought Holden landmark, Strate’s Drive-Inn, in 1972. They spent the next 40-plus years serving the citizens of Holden their special down-home flavor of food that the drive-inn is famous for.

Linda still proudly carries on Dale’s legacy with celebrations on Dale Strate Day.

She still owns Strate’s and she offers special savings and promotions on Dale Strate Day.

Dale always loved the kids who visited the drive inn and gave away free suckers to them.

Linda is offering free ice cream for kids all day this Friday, February 4 (tomorrow), as well as $1 drinks all day, and $1 off all baskets, as a way to honor Dale’s memory.

Also, she is giving away free coffee for the loyal coffee drinkers. Linda and the crew at Strate’s enjoy hearing customers reminisce and share their memories of Dale on his special day, so be sure and stop by for a visit and a treat.

Dale had a fierce pride in his hometown and did what he could to make it a better place to live.

He was raised in Holden and spent his whole life here, graduating from Holden High School in 1963.

Along with being a businessman in Holden for many decades, Dale also served the community as a Holden firefighter and volunteered his time and talents on several city committees.

Dale spent his life serving this community and is missed by all who knew and loved him. He enjoyed the simple things in life – his family, days spent on his farm, watching the trains go through town, and visiting the Chilhowee Farm Show every year.

Strate’s has been a staple in the Holden community for more than five decades and Dale’s love for life and sense of humor have always been a big part of their lasting legacy.

All are welcome to join Linda and the staff at Strate’s on Dale Strate Day and share your cherished memories of Dale and the years he spent serving and entertaining his customers.

Dale would want his loved ones to carry on with joy, and perhaps when you remember the happiness he brought to so many, it will bring a smile to your face – he would like that.