Long-Time Industry Contributor, E. Dale Fenton, Passes at 89 Years Old
Originally Published by: SBCA Magazine — October 8, 2024
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It is with great sadness that we share the passing of a beloved component manufacturing innovator, entrepreneur, and long-time truss-guy, E. Dale Fenton. Dale was involved in the industry for decades, having started in truss sales and eventually getting into the innovative side of the industry as he was constantly tinkering with things to try to make them more efficient. Being the innovator that he was, Dale came up with a roll off trailer and earned his first [of many] patents for that in 1989.
As a long-term contributor of BCMC, E. Dale Fenton’s ASI Industries was an initial company to provide the trailer giveaway at the annual BCMC show. The trailer giveaway has been a staple of the BCMC show each year, with E. Dale Fenton and ASI Industries as early contributors of this industry-development opportunity, sharing what roll off trailers make possible.
Not only was Dale a contributor of BCMC, but he was also a big supporter of SBCA (formerly WTCA). Throughout his SBCA involvement, Dale racked up 66 points in SBCA’s Top Chord Club (TCC) program, making him a Diamond Club member. The TCC program was developed to foster continued growth of membership. Any SBCA member who sponsors a new member (i.e. encourages them to join SBCA) earned points. Diamond Club Status is awarded to individuals after they have earned 50 points – making it quite the feat! SBCA expresses its gratitude for his support and effort in bringing more people to the association.
“Dale and my father were best friends,” says Greg Griggs of Builders FirstSource. “My father was a component plant owner/operator then and they both worked together for many years in the industry. When Dale built his first version of the roll off trailer, we used it at my father’s component plant, and it was revolutionary for the component industry! The roll off trailer evolved from there.” Dale has made lasting impacts, and we are grateful for his commitment to the betterment of the structural building components industry. “He was a true mentor of mine; he was a second father to me,” continues Greg. “He was a phenomenal human being and loved being with his family – family always came first! Any time I’d go back to Missouri, I’d stop by to see him, and we’d spend hours catching up. He will be missed.”
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Fenton family. We thank them for sharing Dale for so many years with this industry.
Visitation for will be held Friday, October 11, 2024, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W in Columbia. The funeral service will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in St. Louis online at donate.lovetotherescue.org or via mail to Shriners Children’s Hospital St. Louis, Attn: Office of Philanthropy, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.
Read the full obituary, here.