David O. Dance

Our Dad—what a man!

He was a mover and a shaker. He was a gentle, kind man. He was a rough and tough fisherman, hunter, and golfer. He washed dishes, and made the food that made them dirty. He was patriotic. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He was humble. He was a joker. He was a firm taskmaster. He was a “do it right the first time” man. He was a pie lover, a rose smeller, a frugal spender. He was a Cadillac man. He could fix anything with duct tape and fishing line. He could pull baby teeth and mend cuts (with duct tape and fishing line). He was a gardener. He was wise beyond his years. He knew how to save and earn money and how to lose it in the stock market too. He was a target of Mom’s healthfood crusades, but loved meat and potatoes. He was a marathon runner, and an every-morning walker. He was a mean whistler. He was a funky dancer. He loved life.

David Orin Dance passed away peacefully on August 3, 2013, at home in Bellevue, Washington, surrounded by family—only three months after his wife Jean’s funeral. Born May 27, 1922, in Thomas, Idaho, he was the third of seven children of Leroy and Lillie Dance. After his youth spent working on the farm, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was called to active duty as a member of the 76th Infantry. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and received the Purple Heart. Upon his return he graduated from Utah State in Logan, where he met and married his sweetheart Jean Richards in the LDS temple on October 8, 1947. Eventually they moved to Seattle where they raised 6 of 7 children, added 33 grandchildren, and had been welcoming the first waves of great-grandchildren over the past decade.

Dad was the great provider. He was a long-time manager for New York Life. (All of us had life insurance policies by our 1st birthdays!) He was compassionate. He was the bald man who carried his wife everywhere, he was Mom’s nurse. He showed patience in ways most people didn’t see or comprehend. He was the father and then the grandfather at all the ball games, dances recitals, and play performances. He was kind to waitresses. He was the neighbor who put the morning paper on your doorstep. He was the man who put current magazines wrapped in plastic (in case it rained) on top of the garbage for the garbage men to read. He was the neighbor who kept his yard neat and clean, and picked fresh flowers to display in the house. He was the berry picker, the blueberry pancake connoisseur, the breakfast chef. He was a “choose-the-leg-of-the-chicken-so-everyone-else-can-have-the-breast” kind of man. He was the maker of stuffing on Thanksgiving morning. He was the best mixer/bartender of leftover juices. He was the fire-builder on Christmas morning. He was the letter-writer and built-in stamp machine. He was the original list-maker. He was the best packer of packages around… packing tape and bubble wrap were never used in such abundance! He loved the great outdoors of the Northwest, but loved the cultural side of Seattle too. He was a music aficionado, especially if it was played on the piano by one of his children—even more if it was “Claire de Lune.” He loved sports. He was the baseball fan who brought his own peanuts and never cursed at the umpire. He was the football fan who watched the game for hours and always cheered for the underdog.

David is survived by his children: D. Richard Dance (Julienne), Alan R. Dance (Julie), Linda Orme (Steve), Diane McDonald (Bill), John R. Dance (Sharla), Anna Heimburger (Matthew), his brothers Eldred Dance and Arnold Dance (Margaret), and his sisters Arlene Felsted and Norene Thomas. He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jean Richards Dance, his beloved parents, his sisters Leah Myers and Afton Johnson, and his son Grant Russell Dance.

Dad was a gentleman to the end: always opening doors, helping women with their coats—ladies first! He was sincere. He was sensitive but didn’t always know how to show it. He was valiant, obedient, and spiritual. He called us to dinner, to prayer, to Family Home Evening, but didn’t call us anything when we were in trouble—silence worked just fine. He was the Stake President. He was the Bishop. He was the Regional Rep wrapped up in fur to combat the Alaska cold. He was the patriarch. He was a missionary. He was a temple sealer for twenty years—helping couples and families stay together forever. When he spoke his love there were tears in his eyes. His voice was always shaky when he said goodbye. He was a living legend. His life was an example. He was King of 110%.

He was David O. Dance. He was Daddy O. He was Oh David! He was Our Dad. We love and miss him!

A viewing will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2013 from 9-10 a.m. in the Factoria Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4200 124th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA)—followed by funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation in behalf of Lucy Heroe Heimburger, Dave and Jean's youngest grandchild: IRSF, P.O. Box 706143, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45270-6143.