Dale C. Dearden

Dale was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Oraette Curtis and Marlow Hyrum Dearden.

Dale served in the U.S. Marines and the Navy Reserve, he was honorably discharged in 1955.

He married Arlene Kinsman August 11, 1948 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  They raised four children in Salt Lake City, then the family moved to Spokane in 1970.

Dale is preceded in death by his wife Arlene Dearden and son Terry Dearden.

He is survived by son Bruce and wife Kathy, daughter Sherri and husband Tom, son Bryan and wife Michelle; grandchildren Heather; Jason and wife Machaela; Great grandchildren Chiara, Emery, Amber, Taylor and Riley Arlene.

Dale was never one to sit still. He loved learning new things, solving problems, figuring things out, making plans and executing them. He did this his entire life for both big and small things, problems, and plans. When he was just 15, he decided he wanted to learn to fly airplanes. So, he mowed lawns to earn the money to pay for lessons which he took at the Salt Lake City airport, 20 miles across the valley. He rode his bicycle back and forth because he could not yet drive a car. In fact, he earned his pilot’s license before his driver’s license.

He became a flight instructor, and commercial and air transport pilot in Salt Lake City.

Flying became a lifelong love and career. Dale established his own airline for passengers and freight called Pacific Western Airways in Salt Lake City.  He put Arlene to work behind the ticket counter.

He started working for the Federal Aviation Administration in Spokane in 1970 as an inspector and instructor, logging many, many students.

Dale had many other flying jobs including flying smoke jumpers near Winthrop, Washington.

Prior to his flying career, Dale was a contractor in both commercial and residential construction. He built quite a few homes for his family in Salt Lake City and Spokane.

Around 40 years old, Dale started distance running and eventually completed several marathons.

Dale also learned how to play the guitar and learned how to dance.  He loved dancing with Arlene and family any chance he could get.

Dale was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, who worked hard but also loved adventures and having fun!  He provided many memories for his family. Dale will be truly missed.

A visitation for Dale will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 West Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205. A funeral service will occur Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5100 West Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205. A graveside service will occur Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205.

In lieu of flowers donations to the following would be appreciated

Recreational Aviation Foundation

Or

Inland Northwest Wildlife Council