Donald S. Dale, 77

Donald S. Dale was born to spread joy to the world. Don was born on April 19, 1938, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Pansy and William S. Dale and a family of musicians and entertainers. As the second youngest in a family of 21 kids, he learned quickly to connect to the best in people and to add value to the world wherever he would go. The family had a traveling music and entertainment show where he perfected his musical craft and learned to work with his hands and the ability to sell from his heart.

The Dales were all entertainers and musicians, coming from generations of performers, and Don was proud of his history and loved to share the stories of many colorful memories of traveling throughout the southern U.S. and the stories of human nature that he encountered along the way as they performed from stage to stage, town by town.  

After serving in the Navy, he formed the Don Dale trio and continued to play music in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and came to Montana in 1964 for the grand opening of the Cadillac Hotel in Whitefish. A valley hit from the start, he came back so many times and, after opening the Mountain Lake Grand opening with Wild Bill Brensinger, he finally decided to stay and played music all over the valley and western Montana including a music show on KCFW, earning a reputation as one of the best-loved country musicians in the state.

During all that time four things never changed — his passion for family, his love of God and country music and his commitment to always lend a hand to anyone in need.

Don had a long fight with lung disease and cancer and passed over peacefully at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Dec. 13, 2015, with his wife and daughters holding his hands and telling stories, and recalling memories

Don leaves behind his beloved wife, Linda Dale; his children, Michael Dale, Debra and their daughter Luvaya; Michelle Dale and her daughter Lisa and great-grandson Sadan; his daughter Lashaun Dale and husband Maury Solomon and their children Tevan and Vanessa; his daughters Serena Dale and Tina Dale, and his beloved dog Mr. Pooh.

His surviving siblings include Delores “Sunny” Johnson, Donna Aguiar and Dani “Butch” Casina. Don leaves behind many loving relatives, lifelong friends and musicians who will cherish having known him and having personally witnessed the twinkle in his eye.  

He is already missed and his music will live on in all of us.

The Dale family would like to invite all who knew and loved Don and his music to join them in a celebration of his life.

This very special service and memorial will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, followed by a memorial potluck and celebration of Don’s life at the Evergreen Moose directly following the service at 4 p.m. that same day.

Musicians welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to their favorite local charity in Don’s name.