United Community Partners P.O. BOX 545 Halfway, Oregon 97834 president@unitedcommunitypartners.org 541-742-4065

Dale Denson Memorial Fund – Exhibit Hall

Dale Denson Memorial Fund

Exhibit Hall Fund Details

It is with great sadness we mark the passing of friend and community member Dale Denson. Halfway and our community was a huge part of Dale’s life, as he was ours.  For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Dale, the family suggests a contribution to rebuilding the Pine Valley Fair Exhibit Hall which was destroyed in the heavy snow season of 2016 along with more than 30 other buildings around the valley.  Instructions to contribute are at the bottom of this page.

Thank You Dale and the Denson Family from all of us.

In Memoriam Dale Denson

Dale was born to Walter and Bernice Denson on September 4, 1934 in Meacham, Oregon. While living in Meacham, he spent summers working on his Uncle Mart’s ranch in Pilot Rock.  In 1945 Dale moved from Meacham to Seneca, Oregon where he attended high school in John Day until he graduated. Dale worked his way through college and was vice president of his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta.  Dale graduated from the University of Oregon in 1956.

Following college, Dale joined the Navy and was selected for Officer’s Training School at the rank of, Naval Navigator.  During active duty, he was stationed in Japan and Alaska. Dale joined the Naval Reserves and was stationed at the Moffitt Naval Base in Sunnyvale, CA, Alameda Naval Base in Oakland, CA. Dale also did two reserve tours in Vietnam. Dale retired from the Naval Reserves in 1975 at the rank of Commander.

After active duty, Dale moved to California where he worked briefly in the electronics industry before working as a real estate salesman. In 1965, he purchased Dalton Realty beginning is career as a Real Estate Broker. Dale moved from real estate sales to investment real estate in 1972 and was recognized as an expert in apartment acquisition, finance, and sales. He was one of the first outside investors to see the potential of the Portland Real Estate market.

Dale’s true love, besides his wife Nancy, was his ranch in Halfway, Oregon. He purchased his property on West Dry Creek Road in 1979 and added other small ranches. Dale divided his time between California and Oregon before finally moving to Oregon full time so he could devote his time to his family and ranching operation. Dale was very active in the Halfway Lions Club and Fair Board. He will be remembered as someone who would drop anything to help someone in need.

Dale passed away July 8, 2017 with his family by his side. He had battled hard against pancreatic cancer for over 18 months. This battle was a great gift to all who watched this fight.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Denson; sister Irene Graven; sons Brad and Jeff, daughter Whitney and six grandchildren.

Dale Denson Memorial Exhibit Hall Fund Instructions

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Dale, the family suggests the Pine Valley Fair Exhibit Hall Project please contact Lynda Byrd.

As of February 2018 the Friends of the Fair 501c3 nonprofit is up and running. Please contact Lynda Bird if you have any further questions.

Read Dale Denson’s Obituary on OregonLive – or sign the guestbook

Read Dale’s Page on Tammy’s Pine Valley Funeral Home – or sign guestbook.

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