Givens John DaleBaton Rouge Born: November 18, 1942 Alexandria, LouisianaDied: September 09, 2017 Baton Rouge, LouisianaJ. Dale Givens, age 74, a native of Alexandria, Louisiana and a resident of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Dale was born on November 18, 1942 to Ruth Harrell Givens and Ed Dale Givens. He graduated with a B.S. in Zoology in 1966 from Louisiana State University. Dale worked for the State of Louisiana for 36 years, starting with Wildlife and Fisheries, followed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality. He retired in 2002 as the Secretary of DEQ. Dale served honorably in the Quartermaster Corps with the Louisiana National Guard. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts with his sons and served on the Executive Board of the Istrouma Area Council, BSA, and also served on the board of La Capitol Federal Credit Union. Dale was active with the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge and other civic and governmental organizations. Dale is survived by his wife of 46 years, Virginia Ponthieu Givens; his children, Patrick Dale Givens and his wife Jessica of St. Louis, MO, and Matthew David Givens of Houston, TX. His brothers Randy Givens and wife Vicky, of Paige, Tx, and Dan Givens and wife Sandy of Ball, LA. Grandchildren, Christopher Dale, Parker David, and Wesley Doyle of St. Louis, MO and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed Dale & Ruth Givens; and his brother William David Givens. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 from 6 pm - 9 pm at Greenoaks Funeral Home 9595 Florida Blvd. Baton Rouge, La. 70815. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 from 9 am until the funeral service begins at 10 am. Burial will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Istrouma Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America or the Hospice of Baton Rouge.