Dale Loran Nielson

Dale Loran Nielson, 79, of Tumalo, Oregon passed away Friday, October 18, 2024 at home. Dale was born November 3, 1944 in Portland Oregon to father Edward Nielson and mother Myrtle Belle Soule Nielson. He received his education in the Portland Adventist school system. He had a successful 20-year career in the U.S. Navy and another 20 years with Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office as a Code Enforcement Officer. Dale joined the Navy in November of 1961 and retired in April of 1986. He met and married Patricia Ann Reagan in Charleston, SC. They, along with Pat’s two young sons, Tim and Tom, moved to Maryland. It was there that daughter Lori Ann was born. The family’s next home was a small cabin overlooking the ocean in Poulsbo, WA. After just getting settled in, Dale received orders to report to the U.S. Naval Base in Morocco, North Africa . . . then to Sicily, Italy. The family returned to the U.S.A. when Dale was transferred to the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville and then to Orlando, FL, where daughter Paula Christine was born. Over the next several years, the family relocated to Whidbey Island, WA, New Orleans, LA, Ventura, CA, Pocatello, ID, then to La Pine, Redmond, Bend, and finally settling in Tumalo, Oregon. After Dale retired from 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy, he went on to work 20 years for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office as a Code Enforcement Officer, before giving up the daily grind to spend time with his wife, Jody Chrz Nielson, whom he married in April 2005 in Evanston, WY. Dale and Jody worked part time for West One Auto Group (Hertz) and various local auto dealerships, shuttling and delivering vehicles throughout the Northwest until Jody’s car accident in June 2012. One would have to search far and wide to find a kinder, gentler, more soft-hearted and soft spoken, more protective, more practical, common-sensed man. As a pleasing person, there was no limit to what he would do for others. Dale enjoyed Intarsia and other wood working projects, RV road trips especially to Wyoming, fishing, gardening, and time spent with family and friends, and his time spent relaxing with our kitty, Poppyseed. Dale had a love of music, loved singing, self-taught to play piano and organ, played harmonica, and wanted to learn to play the accordion. Being a very detailed and conservative person, he would work for hours trying to revive anything. He had the patience of Job! He was a man of God. He often led the singing in our little country church. When our pastor couldn’t be there, Dale would sometimes fill in. He was truly a disciple of Jesus Christ. Dale served as board President of High Country Fellowship (Church) in Brothers,OR for the past 4 years. Dale was disappointed in how his body was failing him these past two years. He was too proud to ask for help. Are you a smoker? He would beg you to quit. Smoking was at the bottom of most all his health issues. Dale’s love of God, family, kindness, gentleness, protectiveness, and wisdom will live in perpetuity in the memories of us all. Dale is survived by his wife, Jody, and Poppyseed, in Tumalo; Dale’s children: Timothy (Arleen), Thomas (Lorna) (Tina), Lori, Paula (Robert). Grandchildren: Andrew (Angela), Jessie (Benyapa), Zack (Stephanie), Forest (Heather), Brian (Saowarin), Robert John, Tiffany, Rochell, Donna, Julia, Dale L. II, Alexzander, Jaimin (Christopher), and numerous great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia (1996), father Edward, mother Myrtle, and brother Edward Jr. Donations in lieu of flowers to: 1. Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 2. St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN 38105

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Dale Loran Nielson

November 3, 1944 - October 18, 2024