Heaven gained a very kind and witty angel on July 26, 2021, when Ted Dale lost his battle with cancer at the age of 66.
As a family, we are heartbroken. As Christians, we know he is in the arms of our loving God and no longer hurting. Ted brightened our lives. He was warm, funny and kind, and shared his gifts with many.
He was born on Aug. 3, 1954, in Portland, Oregon and raised in West Seattle then Aberdeen. Ted joined the Navy after graduating from Aberdeen High School in 1972 and served four years during the Vietnam War on the USS Sacramento. After returning from the service he worked for Rohm & Haas Chemical Plant for many years followed by a long career as a truck driver.
With his first wife Mary he raised two children, Ted and Kristy.
Ted was serving as a Stephen Minister at First United Methodist Church in Olympia when he met the love of his life, Cheryl Dale. They recently celebrated 17 years of marriage. Ted retired two years ago from Amerigas, and has enjoyed spending more time with family and friends. Ted and Cheryl had many adventures including cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska, a trip with friends to Costa Rica and in 2019 they spent three weeks in South Africa.
We weren’t ready to say goodbye yet, but God must have needed a good wing man, if for nothing else than to make a few wise cracks and give out nicknames to new arrivals in heaven.
Ted is survived by his wife Cheryl, father Ralph, brothers: Keith (Trina) and Paul (Marty), sons: T.J. (Billie) and Stuart (Amy), and daughters: Kristy, Melissa (Scott) and Alison (Matt).
Ted was the most awesome Grandpa ever and will be hugely missed by grandchildren: Evan, Owen, Audrey, Jacob, Savannah, Hunter and Kennedy, along with many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at Albee’s Garden in West Olympia where we will barbecue dinner and share all our great Ted memories. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to either the American Cancer Society or the Wounded Warrior Project. #biteme, #cancersucks
