Dale Miller

Dale entered the arms of his Heavenly Father on Monday, February 13, 2023, at the age of 84, with his loving wife Barbara by his side on the day of their 63rd wedding anniversary. Born to Fred, Sr., and Esther (Becker) Miller on June 15, 1938, in Wapato, WA. Dale was raised in Harrah, WA until his family moved to the farmstead on East Zillah Drive in Outlook, WA.

Dale was a 3-sport athlete and lettered in Football, Basketball, and Baseball and even earned All Valley Honorable Mention in Basketball. He graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1956. After a brief attendance at Columbia Basin Jr. College, where he played football, Dale entered into active duty in the Navy Reserves. He served from 1957-59.

Dale met the love of his life on May 8th, 1959 in the Safeway parking lot in Sunnyside after “dragging the main” with a group of guys. Barbara Oswalt was with her friends from Granger and needed to go home. Dale said, “I live by Granger, I’ll take you.” Well, those dirt roads out to Barb’s Satus home in Dale’s brand new car did not deter him from asking her to the Granger carnival the next night as well as taking her home down those dusty roads again. This fateful night led to the wedding day of February 13, 1960.

In the early ‘60s, Dale worked on the family farm with his father and brother Fred Jr. The family primarily grew mint, wheat, sweet corn, red beans, and asparagus. In 1968, Dale formed a farming partnership with his brother which became Miller Brothers Farms, Inc. Also, in 1968 the brothers built a two-stall mint still and did custom mint distilling until they sold their farm in 1991. The pride of Miller Brothers Farms was having a “weed-free” farm. If you worked on their farm, you knew how to work a hoe.

While on the farm, Dale and Barb started their family. Todd was born in 1965 between Barb and Dale’s birthdays. Tyler arrived in 1967 and daddy’s little girl, Stacey was born in 1969. As the kids grew, so did the list of activities and organizations Dale and Barb coached or led.

Raising Angus cattle, where Dale was President of the Yakima Valley and WA State Angus Association.

Coaching youth basketball at Outlook Elementary and youth baseball. Dale instilled a work ethic and fundamentals that made his teams hard to beat.

Dale and Barb started the Pride & Shine 4-H club in the ‘70s which led to 21 years as club leaders, and 17 years as Beef Superintendent of the Central WA Jr. Livestock show and the Yakima Valley Jr. Fair.

A central part of Dale’s life was his faith. Raising their children in the church was essential to them. Dale and Barb joined the United Methodist Church in the early ‘70s and lead Sunday school classes, and youth activities, and served on numerous boards including board chairman and head trustee. As trustee, Dale maintained the building and outside landscaping.

Another source of pride for Dale was his yard. Never a weed to be found and all trees, bushes, plants, and lawns are always trimmed to perfection.

After the sale of the farm, Dale began a second career as an assistant field manager with I.P. Callison and Sons in April 1992. He covered the Yakima Valley, Columbia Basin and down to the Grande Ronde Valley in Oregon until he officially retired on November 30, 2008.

Dale loved serving his community and did so by joining Kiwanis International where he served on numerous committees: Kids Day parade, Pancake feed, 4th of July community celebration, and serving coffee and cookies at the Vernita bridge rest area. In 1999, he received the President’s Award in Recognition of Exceptional Leadership and Dedicated Service.

Nothing made Dale more proud than watching his kids and grandchildren in their sports and activities. The many trips around Eastern Washington and over the mountain to watch his sons coach the grandkids and all the grandkids’ activities: Baseball, softball, band, choir, dance, football, volleyball, and soccer. True joy for Dale and Barb was spending time with family, especially the summer camping trips at Lake Easton.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents Fred Sr. and Esther Miller. Brothers Fred Jr. and Marvin Miller.

Dale was survived by his loving wife Barbara. Sons Todd (Lisa) Miller, Everett, WA; Tyler (Kari) Miller, Sunnyside, WA and Daughter Stacey Brunhaver, Mill Creek, WA. Grandchildren Megan, Paige (fiancee Ryan) Miller, Matthew (Hannah) Miller, Aundra (Mykah) Tracy-Hall, Brittany, and Nadine Brunhaver. Great Grandchildren Theodore Miller and soon to be joined by a baby sister.

He is also survived by his sister Marlene (Harold) Belcher and by numerous nieces, nephews and other family members and many friends.

Viewing and visitation will be on Friday, February 24 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside. The funeral service will be on Saturday, February 25 at 11 am at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside followed by a graveside service with military honors at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside. Reception to follow at the Presbyterian Church in Sunnyside.

The Miller family would like to thank the staff at Sun Terrace Assisted Living in Prosser for their love, care, and support of Dad. As well as the staff at Heartlinks Hospice for their loving care of dad.

For those wishing to donate in the memory of Dale, please submit to Heartlinks Hospice 3920 Outlook Road, Sunnyside, WA 98944 http://www.heartlinkshospice.org