Dale Dean Thompson

Dale D. Thompson, age 89 passed away on March 24, 2023. Dale was born at home on March 15, 1934 to Lee Thompson and Merie Goins in Mobridge, South Dakota. The family moved to the Black Hills in 1936. Following World War II the family moved to Spokane Valley, Washington.

Following school, Dale joined the army during the Korean war. He was assigned to several military bases and served 16 months in Korea. After his 3 year military service, Dale worked construction jobs and in 1958 began a career with the U.S. Forest Service. His assignments included 7 years on the Coeur d' Alene National Forest, 10 years on the Deer Lodge National Forest in Butte, MT and regional fire dispatcher in Ogden, Utah. Dale completed his career in Missoula on the Lolo National Forest. During his time in Butte, he also attended Montana Tech and later in Missoula he attended U of M taking forestry courses.

Before Dale retired, he developed a home business restoring antique furniture. This developed into a full-time job after his retirement from the Forest Service.

Dale was active in square dancing and through this met Joan Hembree of Missoula. In October of 2000 Dale and Joan were married. Together they spent over 22 happy years of travel, outdoor activities, drives and square dancing.

Dale is predeceased by his parents, two sisters and daughter Della Merie.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; son Tom; brothers, Lyle and T.J.; grandchildren - Samantha, Shaun, Cristina, Josh and Scott; stepchildren, Ken Hembree and Tami Hembree and step grandson, Treven Hembree.

No services are planned.