Dale Frederick Kennedy

A lifelong resident of Washington State, Dale Frederick Kennedy passed away on September 5, 2024 in Kennewick. When Dale first met someone, he wanted to know if the person was born and raised in Washington, because he was proud that he considered himself a lifetime resident of the state, even though he had a few small absences.

Dale was born to Robert and LaDella Kennedy in Colfax where his father started his teaching career. The family also lived in Union Town, Fairfield, and Davenport. Later they moved to his father’s hometown of Spokane so he could return to the oil industry in Spokane, Dale could enjoy riding his bicycle around town and having responsibility of a newspaper route.

When dale was a sophomore at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, his parents moved the family to Clarkston where the family bought a bulk oil plant. Dale agreed to a plan that if he made sure all the gas stations had products, he could go to Spokane every weekend.

At Clarkston High School, Dale was part of a high school class that had six couples that married within the class and remained married for their lifetimes. When Dale married Clorice (Duffy) Lohmann, they became one of those couples.

Dale was drafted by the US Army and the newlywed couple established their first home in Port Townsend at Fort Warden Where Dale had basic training and training for deployment to Japan. During the Port Townsend timeframe, he spent a small period at Fort Belford, Virginia in tech school.

Dale and Duffy’s first child Elaine was born in Clarkston in 1952 while Dale was deployed to Tokyo, Japan. His next two children, Gale and Kris, were born in Kennewick and then the young family moved to Lewiston, Idaho a month after Kris’ birth. Dale claimed that since he worked in the family business in Clarkston, he was still a Washingtonian. Since the business proved harmful for Dale’s health, he, Duffy and their three small children returned to the Tri-Cities so dale could once again work for the Department of Highways. During this time, their fourth child, Kimberly was born in Pasco.

In 1964, Elaine passed away. The family found a move to Tumwater to be a distraction from this devastating loss. While living in Tumwater, Dale continued to work for the Department of Highways in Tumwater and Olympia until he retired with 27 years of service. Also, Dale and Duffy’s last child, Kevin, was born in the Olympia area when Dale was 44 years old.

In 1983, Duffy needed a drier climate, so they moved back to Pasco where they remained for the rest of their lives.

In Pasco, Dale enjoyed supporting Kevin’s track, cross-country career, and even continued officiating at the state cross-country and state track championships as well as the Pasco High School invitational track meet after Kevin had graduated.

Dale had a love of cars and was fortunate to carry out this passion by working at the Auto Auction and McCurley dealership picking up, delivering and trading automobiles following his retirement from the State. This continued until he was in his 80s.

Dale survived another child, Gale, He, also, survived his parents; his wife, Duffy; Siblings, Warren and Dolores; and parents and son-in-law Mark Tucker (Kimberly).

He is survived by children Kris, Kimberly and Kevin; two grandchildren, Eric and Mackenze (Charles); two great-grandchildren, Kennedy and Charlie; his brother-in-law Don Heinen and sister-in-law, Charlotte Ellis.

He enjoyed his social group of neighbors, church members and fellow members of the independent Order of Foresters.

Please join Dale’s family in honoring his life on Friday, October 18, 2024, 11am at Riverview Methodist church at 4012 W. Court St., Pasco, WA 99301