Dale Marvin Miller

Dale Marvin Miller, 85, of Monmouth Oregon, passed away September 20th, 2010 from complications
following a stroke. Dale was born on December 3rd, 1924 in Enterprise, Oregon, son of the late Hattie and Grady Miller, the third of four boys. Dale spent his early years on the Ranger Station in Imnaha where his father was a Forest Ranger in the Snake River/Hells Canyon area. As a small boy, Dale loved swimming, fishing, acting as a cowboy and playing in the river with his brothers. The family moved to Enterprise in the early 30's.
Dale graduated from Enterprise High School and attended college at Washington State University where he played football as a lineman until enlisting in the Army in WWII. Dale was stationed on several islands in the South Pacific, including Japan. Following the war, Dale returned to Wallowa County and was employed by the Oregon State Game Commission. In Wallowa County he met his wife of 62 years, Vera Jean Brooks and over the years they lived in Enterprise, John Day, Central Point, and Corvallis and eventually Monmouth where the couple resided for over 45 years, working the entire time for the Game Commission/Fish and Wildlife. In 1951, Dale was called back to duty in the Korean War and left the service as a Master Sergeant and returned home continuing employment with the State of Oregon Fish and Wildlife.
Throughout his life, he found enjoyment working in the yard tending his roses and many flowers, wood crafting, reading historical novels, hunting and fishing. In the late 60's early 70's he and his wife learned the game of bridge and especially looked forward to the monthly potlucks and games with his Winegar Avenue friends. Dale was active on the Monmouth City Planning Commission board for two years in the early 90's and was a lifetime member of the Elks Club, the Masonic Lodge of Independence (Past Master), VFW and a member of the Christ's church in Monmouth.
Dale retired from the Game Commission at the age of 60 after spending over 40 years as an employee. He always said he was lucky to have found a job in which his love of the outdoors allowed him to earn a living.
Dale's retirement years included daily walks through the college where he would feed the squirrels, buy an extra newspaper so he and Jean could both do the New York Times Crossword puzzle together, and visit with other early morning walkers. Dale always ended up at Rick's Coffee Shop in Monmouth looking for local news. He and Jean enjoyed dancing, attending his nephew's football games and traveling. Dale loved his family and coffee pals and was a wonderful caring father to his only child, Susan. His sense of humor and easy going nature made him a favorite of all who knew him.
Dale was preceded in death by his brother Alden as a child, due to an accident, followed by Burke who was killed in WW II and his younger brother Wade, in 2008. He lost his wife Jean, in August of 2009 and lived with Susan in Vancouver, recently moving back to his beloved home in Monmouth this past May.
Dale is survived by daughter Susan of Monmouth, sisters-in law Virginia Sasser and Nancy Brooks of Portland, Peggy Brooks of LaGrande and brother- in- law Ray Guillory of Wallowa, as well as his many cherished nieces, nephews and close family friends. Dale also had a soft spot in his heart for his two cats, Oliver and Frank Sinatra.
There will be no services at Dale's request. Thank you to the many friends and family who contributed to Dale's joyful life with visits, outings, conversation and laughter. He truly appreciated the lasting friendships and relationships formed throughout the years.
When recently asked his name by a nurse in the hospital, Dale responded, "I am Dale Marvin Miller and I am a heck of a nice guy", and he was just that, and more.