Obituary for AZCM Alister Jerome Dial Sr.
AZCM Alister Jerome Dial, loving husband and father, departed this life and gained his heavenly wings
on Monday September 21, 2020.
Alister Jerome Dial age 69, was born on September 18, 1951, to James Alister Dial and the late Juanita
Ferrell Dial in Greenville, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his sibling, Harnetha Rodgers. He
was the fourth of six children and the only male. He had a special relationship with his siblings. Being the
only male, he was their protector and guardian.
He attended Washington High School and later graduated from Wade Hampton High School in 1970,
where he held the position of the first African American Student Body President of an integrated school.
He attended South Carolina State University for one year and left to enlist in the United States Navy. He
was a highly decorated member of the United States Navy.
His military career began at the early age of 21. Professional excellence and dedication to duty were his
hallmarks during faithful and honorable service. His career began February 1972 and included these
challenging assignments:
Recruit Training Center Great Lakes, IL; Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana at Norfolk; Helicopter Mine
Countermeasures Squadron (HM-12), (NAS) Norfolk; HM-16, (NAS) Norfolk; VC-2, (NAS) Oceana; VF-43,
(NAS) Oceana; VA-85, (NAS) Oceana; AIMD (NAS) Bermuda; VS-30, (NAS) Cecil Field, FL; AIMD, (NAS)
Cecil Field, and COMNAVAIRLANT Norfolk VA.
Alister was the epitome of a sailor. He served on many of the nation's most powerful aircraft carriers
such as the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), USS John F. Kennedy, USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS Nimitz
and USS Forrestal (CV-59).
In Alister’s final assignment with the Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, he served as NALCOMIS Phase II
Team Leader. Due to his untiring efforts, wisdom and experience, AIRLANT forces enjoyed a
substantially higher degree of readiness than ever before.
Alister retired from the Navy in January of 2000 with 28 years of distinguished active duty service by
being awarded the following awards and decorations: Meritorious Service Medal; Navy & Marine Corps
Commendation Medal with (6) gold stars; Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal with (3) gold stars;
Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Navy Good Conduct award with (5) bronze stars and numerous other
awards and unit awards.
After retirement Alister gave 15 additional years to the government as a civil servant, working as the
Department Head for AMAMT MTU/CNATTU (NAS) Jacksonville, FL, giving him a total of 43 years of
government service to our country.
He leaves to cherish his fond memories, his best friend, high school sweetheart and wife for over 50
years; Martha Dial, two daughters; Dr. Shanna Dawn Scott of Greenville, SC and Ronoshia Nicole Bryan
of Jacksonville, FL, one son; Alister Jerome Dial Jr of Jacksonville, FL, four grandchildren; James Edward
Miles III and Maurice Arness Vickers Jr of Greenville, SC and Alishia Jade Dial and Alister Jerome Dial III of
Jacksonville, FL, four sisters: Helen Irby of Greenville, SC, Gail (Johnny) Floyd of Piedmont, SC, Shelia
(Dale) Posley of Greenville, SC, and Janis (Anthony) Rogers of Laurens, SC and one great grandson, ZyKing Alexander Miles of Greenville, SC.
The funeral service for AZCM Alister Jerome Dial, Sr., will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 at the The Springs 317 Blanding Blvd Orange Park, FL 32073. The visitation will be 10:00 - 11:00 am, Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 at the The Springs 317 Blanding Blvd Orange Park, FL 32073. Private Interment. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234
on Monday September 21, 2020.
Alister Jerome Dial age 69, was born on September 18, 1951, to James Alister Dial and the late Juanita
Ferrell Dial in Greenville, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his sibling, Harnetha Rodgers. He
was the fourth of six children and the only male. He had a special relationship with his siblings. Being the
only male, he was their protector and guardian.
He attended Washington High School and later graduated from Wade Hampton High School in 1970,
where he held the position of the first African American Student Body President of an integrated school.
He attended South Carolina State University for one year and left to enlist in the United States Navy. He
was a highly decorated member of the United States Navy.
His military career began at the early age of 21. Professional excellence and dedication to duty were his
hallmarks during faithful and honorable service. His career began February 1972 and included these
challenging assignments:
Recruit Training Center Great Lakes, IL; Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana at Norfolk; Helicopter Mine
Countermeasures Squadron (HM-12), (NAS) Norfolk; HM-16, (NAS) Norfolk; VC-2, (NAS) Oceana; VF-43,
(NAS) Oceana; VA-85, (NAS) Oceana; AIMD (NAS) Bermuda; VS-30, (NAS) Cecil Field, FL; AIMD, (NAS)
Cecil Field, and COMNAVAIRLANT Norfolk VA.
Alister was the epitome of a sailor. He served on many of the nation's most powerful aircraft carriers
such as the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), USS John F. Kennedy, USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS Nimitz
and USS Forrestal (CV-59).
In Alister’s final assignment with the Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, he served as NALCOMIS Phase II
Team Leader. Due to his untiring efforts, wisdom and experience, AIRLANT forces enjoyed a
substantially higher degree of readiness than ever before.
Alister retired from the Navy in January of 2000 with 28 years of distinguished active duty service by
being awarded the following awards and decorations: Meritorious Service Medal; Navy & Marine Corps
Commendation Medal with (6) gold stars; Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal with (3) gold stars;
Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Navy Good Conduct award with (5) bronze stars and numerous other
awards and unit awards.
After retirement Alister gave 15 additional years to the government as a civil servant, working as the
Department Head for AMAMT MTU/CNATTU (NAS) Jacksonville, FL, giving him a total of 43 years of
government service to our country.
He leaves to cherish his fond memories, his best friend, high school sweetheart and wife for over 50
years; Martha Dial, two daughters; Dr. Shanna Dawn Scott of Greenville, SC and Ronoshia Nicole Bryan
of Jacksonville, FL, one son; Alister Jerome Dial Jr of Jacksonville, FL, four grandchildren; James Edward
Miles III and Maurice Arness Vickers Jr of Greenville, SC and Alishia Jade Dial and Alister Jerome Dial III of
Jacksonville, FL, four sisters: Helen Irby of Greenville, SC, Gail (Johnny) Floyd of Piedmont, SC, Shelia
(Dale) Posley of Greenville, SC, and Janis (Anthony) Rogers of Laurens, SC and one great grandson, ZyKing Alexander Miles of Greenville, SC.
The funeral service for AZCM Alister Jerome Dial, Sr., will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 at the The Springs 317 Blanding Blvd Orange Park, FL 32073. The visitation will be 10:00 - 11:00 am, Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 at the The Springs 317 Blanding Blvd Orange Park, FL 32073. Private Interment. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234