Dale Broyles' Obituary
Dale Broyles, 81, of Newark, went to be with the Lord peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
He was born on July 9, 1944, in Sparta, Tennessee, to the late Robert and Elise (Bennet) Broyles. He was the youngest of five and his Ma & Pa taught him and his siblings hard work from an early age as all were expected to work the farm and earn their way in this world, a trait that stuck with Dale his entire life.
Dale dedicated his life to education and service. He worked for both Lakewood and North Fork Local School Districts, where he served as a teacher, as an assistant principal, a principal, and as an assistant superintendent. He was more than an educator - he was a mentor, a positive light to others, a leader, and someone who genuinely believed in every student who walked through his doors. He could often be found riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle to school, waving at the kids as he rolled in each morning with a smile on his face.
He and his wife Carolyn, also ran a Dunkin Donuts franchise where their children could often be found helping out the family business. Dale would be quick to hire the local kids and was the Dad who would drop off bags of donuts that hadn't been eaten at the school for all the kids when they arrived in the mornings. He never let anything go to waste.
Dale also served his community with the same passion and dedication, working as Licking County Deputy Registrar, helping the Democratic party on numerous campaigns, supporting his wife who was Auditor of the City of Heath, and also serving as a member of the Heath Board of Education, along with many other board and community responsibilities.
Dale would do anything for anyone he met and no one was a stranger. One of his greatest gifts was making others feel welcomed and seen. He was always making others laugh with a sense of humor and jokes that could lift the world up and everyone in it.
Dale found joy in the simple things like working out at the YMCA, dancing and singing to the 70's, running 5k races to support charities, vegetable gardening, working in the yard and most of all, spending time with his family. Also known as Papa, he was the greatest teacher his children and grandchildren could ask for - not just in words, but through the way he lived his life. He taught by example and with patience, generocity, humility, wisdom and unconditional love.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Carolyn J. (Keller) Broyles; his children Ben (Anissa) Broyles and Beth Annarino; his cherished grandchildren, McKenna, Jackson, Harper, Frankie, Taylor, Josh and Nick; and his adorable great-grandchild Graham. In addition to his parents and siblings, Dale was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Frank Annarino III.
Dale's family will be holding a private ceremony. He decided not to have a public service or calling hours and instead would rather for all of you whose life he touched, to remember the good times, to raise a glass for him, and to find ways to give back to the world.
In lieu of flowers, he would be incredibly honored if you pay his kindness forward by donating time, energy or monetarily, to Karis' Cause (http://kariscause.org), an organization started by his good friends whose mission is to take the "sting out of childhood cancer" by providing assistance and a sense of relief to families impacted by childhood cancer. Dale heavily supported and ran the Karis' Cause 5k since its inception and will be honored at the 5k held on August 8th, 2026 at OSU-Newark/COTC Rotary Park, Newark.
Though Dale will be greatly missed, his legacy is one that will live on in the countless lives he touched and the love he gave so freely.
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