Dale Norman Carpenter

It is with a heavy heart that I pen my husband's obituary. Dale was not ready to leave this earthly existence for his heavenly home just yet. He wanted to stay here with all of us. I comfort myself with the knowledge that he is finally in the presence of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, free from pain and weakness, and with loved ones and friends who have gone on before him.

Born on September 30th, 1950 in Seattle, and entered glory on December 6th, 2013. Dale spent his early years in the west Seattle neighborhood of White Center, attending Catholic school until the 4th grade. In 5th and 6th grade he attended public school, and the family moved to the beautiful town of Snoqualmie in the spring of 1962, where he finished his junior and senior high school years, graduating from Mt. Si in 1968. For the most part, Dale was an average to above average student. In junior high he played the lead role in the play, “The Courtship of Eddie's Father.” He played Eddie, and really enjoyed memorizing and performing his lines. In high school, Dale ran cross country and always placed with many 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ribbons. He also enjoyed serving in the projectors club and parking lot crew. (Hey, somebody's gotta do it!) A funny story: One of Dale's teachers in English class embarrassed him by pointing out that Dale was reading a book more suited to a much younger student. Dale replied, “Oh yeah, well I used to wear pants like yours until my dad got a good job.” Detention!

After graduation, it was off to the Army. Fort Lewis first, then somewhere back east, and finally living in Korea for almost 2 years. He did a lot of growing up there. Dale re-enlisted in 1970, and was stationed on Oahu. However, a car accident with several friends landed him in the hospital with nerve damage and atrophy in his right arm. In the spring of 1971 he was honorably discharged and on his way back home. Once home, Dale enrolled at Edmonds Community College, and while there he was elected to “Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges” for outstanding merit and accomplishment in 1973-1974.

The next several years found Dale in Ellensburg at Central Washington University, where he majored in Mass Communications and Public Relations with a minor in Education. He was the campus disc jockey during that time and just loved that gig. He liked playing the long versions of songs like, “In A Gadda Da Vida” by Cream, “Heard it Through the Grapevine” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, and “Free Bird” by Lynard Skynard.

After graduation in 1977, Dale moved to the Palm Springs of Washington and promptly went to work as a morning disc jockey and newsman at country music radio station KENE in Toppenish. In time, he was asked to join the sales staff, quickly proving that selling airtime was something he was very good at, with the combination of an outgoing personality and ability to write great commercials! Before long, he became the sales manager at KENE. In 1982, Dale was hired by KMWX-KFFM radio here in Yakima, starting in sales, then moving up to sales manager, and finally general manager in 1989. He worked in radio until 1998. It was during these years that Dale made so many friendships with many in Yakima's business community. Becoming involved in non-profit groups was only natural for Dale as he met even more people through Yakima Chamber of Commerce, Yakima Rotary Club, and of course all of his radio and T.V. contacts. During the years of 1998-2000, Dale was general manager of the Sun Kings. Does anyone remember the guy in the black tuxedo out on the basketball court running contests and games with the fans? That was Dale! He also worked on bringing in the half-time entertainment for all the home games. Managing the Sun Kings was one of Dale's favorite jobs, because it was so much fun.

For the past last 13 years Dale was very happily employed by Yakima Theatres and the Mercy family as general manager. I remember when he first started he said, “I don't know diddly-squat about the movie industry.” “I hope I can do this.” But he did great! In particular, helping in the construction of the Majestic Theatre in Union Gap was very enjoyable for Dale. He took great pride in being a part of that project.

Dale loved his mother dearly and visited her faithfully from the time I met him in 1978, until her passing in 2005. He grew up in a large family with his parents and 8 brothers and sisters. As a child, Dale was never without a playmate, and there was always work to do around the house. As an adult, Dale had kept in contact with all of his siblings. Having a competitive nature, Dale loved board games, cards, playing pool, darts, bowling, and golf. He would engage in any of these activities with family and friends any chance he could. He loved to tell jokes (or groaners), always trying to make people laugh. He liked giving people crap, and having it given right back to him. And, as many know, Dale loved to volunteer and give back to his community. To give you an idea of how much, Dale had a bumper sticker on one of the family vehicles that read, “I'd rather be volunteering.”

Dale was a man I could truly depend on. He was very supportive in my raising of our children and in anything I wanted to be a part of. Being so ambitious and a great provider allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom, where I truly needed to be, raising our two sons with disabilities and our daughter. Dale loved and was very proud of all of his children and supported them in all of their endeavors.

Something I want everyone to know about Dale: He did what he did out of love for God. He was thankful for his life, family, job, friends, and the ability to do what he could do, and do it well. He was thankful for the salvation Jesus provided and did not take that sacrifice for granted. He didn't work hard so that he would be saved, but because he was saved. Skipping church or bible study was something he rarely did. He loved to go. During these last almost 4 years since the cancer diagnosis, his relationship with God deepened. He prayed often, not usually for himself, but - you guessed it – for all of us.

Dale is survived by his wife Marci, son Blake Carpenter, daughter Julie Klinefelter (son-in-law Jon Klinefelter), and son Travis Carpenter all of Yakima; brother Dennis and Kathy Carpenter of Mill Creek, WA, brother David and Myra Carpenter of Covington, Georgia, sister Sandra and Vaughn Robertson of Washougal, WA, sister Edie Brown of Yakima, brother Leo and Laurie Carpenter of Lake Stevens, WA, and sister Terry and Craig Crone of Enumclaw, WA, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Dale was preceded in death by our twin babies Wendy and Dustin Carpenter, parents Ralph and Eva Carpenter, brother Douglas Carpenter, and sister Dianne Hutchins.

On Saturday, December 28th, 2013 at 12pm, there will be an inurnment service at West Hills Memorial Park with military honors, followed by a memorial service at Holy Family Catholic Church at 1pm, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.

Because of Dale's giving spirit and life, in lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in memory of Dale to any of the following organizations: Camp Prime Time, the American Cancer Society, Union Gospel Mission, or the Salvation Army. Donations accepted by Keith and Keith Funeral home. To share a memory of Dale please visit www.keithandkeith.com