T. Alfred Dial

Thomas Alfred (Al) Dial, age 93, passed away peacefully in his home on June 4, 2024, in Estancia, New Mexico. Al was born on July 8, 1930, to Elmer and Lola Dial in Estancia, New Mexico. Al was the fourth of five sons, he learned the core values of family and hard work from his parents. Out of high school, Al married Betty Jo Ryan, and they had one daughter, Barbara.  After Betty Jo’s untimely and tragic death in 1950, he married Anita Mae Kemper in 1953 and they had three children.

Al loved his children, and he instilled in his family the same values his parents gave him:  the importance of hard work and even more important, how to have fun while they were working together.  Whether it was milking cows, a welding project, a sports event, or playing music, he was always ready to stop and have a laugh or give a word of praise or encouragement.

Al was a lifetime resident of Estancia, New Mexico, where from the time he was a young boy, he gave a good day’s work for a good day’s pay.  He owned and operated Alfred’s Welding Shop in Estancia for many years.  He always said that the farmers kept him in business during those early years, but many farmers said the opposite:  that it was Al who kept them in business.  He said there were only two things he couldn’t fix: 1) the break of day or 2) a broken heart.

Al also taught welding at the Santa Fe Vocational Technical School, and for many years after he retired, his students would stop by his home and visit with him as they passed through Estancia. Many of his students went on to successful professional welding careers of their own.

After he retired from teaching, Al became a welding inspector, and then he turned his attention to making horseshoe figurines and making things out his “inventory.”  He kept his old winch truck in top running order, and considered it one of his most valuable possessions.

Al built two homes: one made from scrap two-by-four mill ends (which included a basketball court so that his sons could play basketball in any weather, day or night), and one made from red flagstone rock.  One can still see his artwork around the Estancia valley, and some of the windmills he built and erected are still in operation today.

Al taught his children the love of hunting, fishing, and sports, instilling in them the love of competition and fair play.

Al loved to play his fiddle, winning many trophies at fiddle contests around the state.  He was always up for a jam session, always teaching his kids and grandkids a new tune.

Al was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Estancia, where he served as a deacon for 60 years.

Al was preceded in death by his wife Betty Jo Ryan (d. 1950) and his wife Anita Mae Kemper (d. 2018).  He is survived by his four children, Barbara Gray, Rex Dial, Margie Lueras, and Jeff Dial.  His legacy includes 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Al’s know-how, kindness, ingenuity, and hard work endeared him to all who knew him, and his family and friends will always remember him as a kind and hard-working man who lived his life for his Lord.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Estancia on Friday, June 14, 2024. Viewing will be held at 9:00 am, the funeral service at 10:00am, followed by interment at the Estancia Cemetery, Bro. Cal West officiating.