Dale was born on May 8, 1930 to Ivan and Lucille (Stick) Thompson in Denver, Colorado where Ivan found temporary work in Denver’s booming economy during the depression.
The oldest of five siblings, Dale learned a strong work ethic from his parents at an early age by helping care for the younger children and working for the family business, Thompson Motor Sales. Graduating from Chillicothe (MO) High School in 1948, he briefly enrolled in William Jewell College in Liberty, MO but returned due to his father’s unexpected illness. Dale married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie B. Sanders on November 23, 1948, and they soon became loving parents to three daughters, all born in Chillicothe.
In 1958, Dale began a 40-year career as a sales representative for Sioux Tools of Sioux City, Iowa, accepting a position of Territory Sales Manager based in Spokane, Washington and relocated his family by driving across the country in a 1954 Plymouth while his daughters called out Burma Shave signs from the back seat. He loved to drive and traveled regularly and extensively by car to successfully manage accounts spread over a wide geographic area: Montana, Idaho, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Eastern Washington. In 1974, he was rewarded with a transfer to Seattle, and managed lucrative accounts in Oregon, Western Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. He received numerous awards and recognition as a top sales manager during his career before retiring in 1992.
Dale loved getting together with family and relished the opportunity to tell stories of the people and experiences from his travels. An avid Seahawk fan, he and Marjorie were early season ticket holders and rarely missed a game. Even after a life spent on the road, Dale still enjoyed traveling to new places, taking trips to Europe, the Caribbean, New York City, New Orleans and Key West.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, Dale was preceded in death not only by his parents, but also by his younger brother Jerry Joe Thompson of Richardson, TX in 2017. He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Marjorie, and their three daughters: Diana (Terry) Mattix of Raleigh, NC; Dana (Ken) Watt of Bothell, WA; Marilyn (David) Quarders of Lynnwood, WA; seven grandchildren, Dean Mattix of Camden, NC; Micah Mattix of Virginia Beach, VA; Sarah Spillman of Raleigh, NC; Emily Roten of Knightdale, NC; Kristen Watt and Carrie Watt, both of Seattle, WA; Claire Leighton of Oregon City, OR; Ian Quarders of Bothell, WA and 16 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind brothers Bill Thompson and Ron Thompson, both of Chillicothe, MO; sister Betty Banks of Mesquite, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.
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