Obituary of Dale Ray Johnson

Dale Ray Johnson Dale Ray Johnson, 88, passed away peacefully at home in Olympia on December 6, 2010. He was born January 19, 1922 in Anatone, Washington, the son of Ray and Belle (Scheibe) Johnson. Dale spent his youth on the family farm outside Anatone. He attended Anatone school for all 12 years, graduating in 1941. After working on the farm for several years, he joined the U.S. Navy as an electrician’s mate, serving in the South Pacific from 1944 – 1946. After discharge, he attended college in Cheney at Eastern Washington Teachers College (now Eastern Washington University, graduating in 1950. During his senior year, he met Dorothy May Ball. They were married shortly after graduation and, in August 2010, celebrated 60 years of marriage. He began work for Washington State Parks at Millersylvania State Park, which is what brought him to the Olympia area. After several other jobs, including one year as a teacher at Littlerock School, he settled with the Olympia Post Office where he retired in 1983 after 30 years of faithful service. Retirement allowed him the time to devout to his family and hobbies. Dale enjoyed woodworking, wood carving, canoeing, hiking, and mountain climbing. He was active in many community organizations, such as Washington State Grange (73 years), the United Methodist Church (lifelong), Olympia Mountaineers, Tumwater Boy Scouts, Capitol Carvers, and Habitat for Humanity. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy May; children, Lori (Bob) Taylor of Seattle; Gail (Walt) Foster of Seattle; Monte (Tori) Johnson of Olympia; Neil Johnson of Seattle; and Marc Johnson of Tumwater; 11 grandchildren, Ken, Mara, Kirsten, Miriam, Aaron, Sarah, Jackie, Michelle, Katy, David, and Valerie; 4 great grandchildren, Finley, Tobin, Joey, and Logan. Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or the Thurston County Food Bank. You may leave memories and condolences for the family by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.