Dale Jaynes was born, lived, and served in Schuyler County, New York all his life, except while attending SUNY Morrisville and the U.S. Navy (1967-1971), where he served in the Brown Water Navy in Vietnam. His temporary assignments in Vietnam were with Mobile Support Unit 2, deploying the various Special Operations Units, SEAL Teams, Special Forces, and Force Re-Con, which was most memorable to him. Because of this assignment, Dale received many awards and medals. He became a member of the Odessa American Legion Post 676 after his honorable discharge from active duty.

In April 1971, he joined the Burdett Fire Department, serving for 48 years and holding the offices of secretary, treasurer, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, chief deputy, and chief. Dale was a member of Schuyler County Volunteer Ambulance and served as a paramedic for 22 years. In September 2000, he was appointed by resolution of the Schuyler County Legislature to the position of deputy fire coordinator, a position he held until his death.

In August 1973, Dale was appointed as a charter member of the Schuyler County Fire Investigation Unit by Emergency Management. Dale was still a member, holding the position of Chief Investigator, Pro-Board-Certified, Level Two, the highest level in New York.

In 1984, Dale joined the Boy Scouts of America to be in Scouting with his sons. As his sons advanced through the ranks, so did Dale, achieving the positions of Assistant Scoutmaster, assistant district commissioner, chapter advisor for Order of the Arrow, and finally the rank of Vigil Honor. In 1996, he was presented with a Bachelor of Commissioner Science, in 1997 achieved his degree as Master of Commissioner Science, and finally in 1998 received his Doctorate of Commissioner Science from the New York-Pennsylvania College of Commissioner Science. His crowning award was the joy he got while advising the young men as ceremony advisor in the Order of the Arrow TKaen DoD Lodge #30 BSA.

In 1998, Dale was appointed Hector Town Justice and graduated from Basic Judicial School at SUNY Canton. He continued to go to Judicial Schooling every year and served as Justice of Hector until his death. He was president of Union Cemetery of Hector in Burdett for over 10 years. Dale was a member of the Reynoldsville United Methodist Church, where he served for many years as church council chairman, as well as trustee chairman.

Among the titles that Dale has held, being called Papa or Grandpa was his most treasured.