Neil Dalager October 17, 1937 -- April 2, 2016 Retired Navy Lieutenant Commander O-4 Neil Dalager of San Diego, California passed away at his seasonal residence in Lawton on April 2, 2016 at the age of 78, surrounded by his loving wife of 46 years, Catalina, daughter Kira, son Mike and granddaughter Liza Gonzales. He was born October 17, 1937 in Sacred Heart, Minnesota to Ober and Esther Dalager. At Neil's request, no services have been scheduled. The family will hold a private inurnment with military honors at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego. Local arrangements are under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home, Lawton. Neil graduated Washington High School in Brainerd, MN in June 1955 and enlisted in the Navy soon after, graduating boot camp at RTC Great Lakes, IL in November 1955. For eight years he ascended the enlisted ranks as an Air Controlman with duty assignments in Guam and Italy. After successfully graduating Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island in 1963, Neil spent his final 21 years in the Navy as an officer, beginning as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer on the USS Fletcher DD445 in the South China Sea and final assignment as the Executive Officer aboard the USNS Kilauea T-AE26 in the Indian Ocean. During his career, Neil was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and the American Spirit Honor Medal. A gifted singer, Neil participated in and won several Navy talent contests throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's, with "Pennies from Heaven" as his main tune of choice. On September 12, 1969, Neil married Catalina Manalansan in Reno, NV. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1984, Neil and Catalina moved to Yuba City, CA with their family, where Neil managed a fish farm and spent his final working years as a commercial fisherman in Big Sur, CA. In 1997 Neil and Catalina began their golden years residing in both San Diego and Lawton, where sunset strolls along the shores of San Diego Bay or Lake Ellsworth were daily pleasures to be enjoyed. Neil was preceded in death by his parents: Ober and Esther, and son: Florentino. Survivors include his wife, Catalina; brothers: Gene and Gary Dalager; sister: Lois Carder; children: Kira Dalager, Mike Dalager and his wife Jessica, Belinda Fegi and Thelma Walker; grandchildren Florentino Dela Paz, Jr., Liza Gonzales, Katrina Walker, Monique Moyer and Kaylee Dalager. Neil was a kind hearted, loving man with a deeply philosophical intellect. His Senior High School class voted him "Friendliest" and "Best All-Around." These attributes never faltered throughout his lifetime. His family will miss him dearly, and he will never be forgotten.