Homer Lee William Dalton

The youngest of 10 children, Homer was born on August 17, 1928 to James Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (Coulee) Dalton in Amoret, Missouri. Homer spent his childhood in Missouri, working with his father and brothers on a farm and sawmill, before moving with his parents by train to Wapato in 1945.

Homer graduated from Wapato High School in 1947. He then began working for John Deere and later M&M Bakery before starting a long career in management with the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, retiring in 1990. Homer was well respected at the company and throughout the community for his hard work and dedication and developed lifelong friendships as a result.

Homer married his first wife, Ruth Burbach, on September 12, 1948, who preceded him in death. They had two children together, Bill and Jody, and enjoyed traveling (particularly to Reno), playing cards, and hosting large family reunions. They were happily married for 48 years.

Homer later married his second wife, Donna Kraft, on February 5, 2000, who survives him in death. They enjoyed taking long road trips, camping with friends, and attending blue grass festivals. They were happily married for 16 years.

Early in life, Homer developed a love for sports and became accomplished in baseball, softball, and bowling. He picked up golf later in life and played as a member of Suntides Golf Club in Yakima and Mount Adams in Toppenish. (The grandchildren never forgave him for selling his golf cart.) Homer also enjoyed attending sporting events of all kinds (Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies, of course) as well as cheering on his grandchildren at soccer matches and t-ball games.

Homer’s greatest source of joy and pride was being with family and supporting their efforts, laughing and joking the whole time. He remained deeply involved in his family’s activities throughout his whole life. Be it a high school play, dance recital, band or choir concert, civic program, church event, graduation, birthday party, or wedding celebration, Homer found great pleasure in the successes and accomplishments of his family.

Others surviving his death include his son Bill and wife Linda Dalton of Yakima; his daughter Jody and husband Tom Rohde of Snohomish, WA; his granddaughter Krystal and husband Juan Perez, great-granddaughter Stella and great-grandson Zachary of Redmond, WA; his grandson Gregg Dalton of Los Angeles, CA; his granddaughter Jennifer and husband Kevin Ess and great-grandson Riley of Arlington, WA; his granddaughter Jillian and husband Chris Nofziger of Ventura, CA; his sister Wilma Courier of Yakima; and many loving extended family members. Homer will be greatly missed.

Homer will be honored and remembered in word and song on Thursday, September 15 at 1:00 PM at Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave. A processional to his final resting place next to Ruth at Reservation Community Memorial Park in Wapato will follow a short reception at the funeral home. To share a memory of Homer, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.

A special thank you to the staff at Blossom Place for their loving care and attention to Homer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blossom Place or the charity of your choice.