In Memory of Dale Jones

I knew it would be coming and had braced myself for the news, but when Madeline called me to say that Dale had died the night before, the tears still welled up as I grieved the loss.

She asked me to help draft an obituary for the family to work on, and I was thankful for something tangible to do for them. As I wrote the details down that are the customary brief bullet points summarizing an inadequate smattering of who Dale was and what he accomplished, I reflected on the impact he had on my life and who he was to me personally.

Dale & Ken Wolfe

I always secretly thought of Dale as the King of Orting. I am honored to know many of the people who have cared for Orting throughout their lives here, but none can  compare with the deep passion I personally witnessed in Dale Jones.

My respect for Dale went far beyond his public service as an elected city official. It was everything he did behind the scenes that went unseen, without thanks and recognition, all for the love of his hometown.

Dale & Ken at Pumpkinfest

When I would stop and visit the Jones, Dale would sometimes greet me  with a grin, and sometimes with a growl, but always with concern, for Orting and for me.

I knew Dale was the person in Orting that I could count on when in need.When my husband hit an oil patch on I5 and wrecked his motorcycle, it was Dale who came to the rescue, trailer in tow, riding in like a knight on his stallion.

Dale was the first person who came to mind to call for help when I had problems after wandering off the trail along the Carbon River while on a bike ride and wondered if I'd need to be rescued while my husband was out of town.

Dale & Madeline at Harman's Party

I hope many people join me in honoring Dale and supporting his family at the graveside service for friends and family that will be held at the Orting Cemetery on Thursday, October 13,  at 11 AM, followed by a 1 PM memorial service at Edgewood Bible Church, 1720 Meridian Avenue East, in Edgewood.

Chief Drake and Dale

Following is the obituary published by Dale's daughter, Shelly Schlumpf.

Dale Jones was born January 1, 1940 and passed away October 7, 2011 after a lengthy illness at his family home in Orting.  The first baby born in Pierce County in 1940, Dale was nicknamed “Forty” by family and friends.  He attended Orting High School and Washington State University and was a proud Cardinal and Cougar.

Dale and his siblings were second generation Orting Cardinals and much like his parents, he dedicated most of his life to the Orting community in a variety of ways. 

He served as Orting’s mayor and a city council member and served on several city commissions.  Sports were always important to him and he enjoyed running the downs markers at OHS football games for over 20 years where his father helped to install the football field lights.  He was very active in the Orting Lions Club and a proud Orting High School alumni member.

Visiting in the park

Dale enjoyed being involved in community projects like Orting’s Bell Tower, The Gazebo, Orting Station and Fountain and hanging city Christmas lights and downtown event banners.  He helped with school projects, the Lions Community Sports Park and Orting’s Community Float which he drove in many of the annual Daffodil Parades.   He also volunteered at his church and helped with various construction projects.  

Dale was interested in all things “Orting”.  From flood control to police, fire and public works, transportation to economic development, he believed in celebrating Orting’s heritage while looking forward to smart growth and maintaining a quality of life for the city he loved.

A veteran teamster, during his career Dale owned and operated a trucking company serving four western states and currently owns an RV and mini storage business.  

Dale visiting at the Lions Club

Dale is survived by his wife of 51 years, Madeline, three daughters and their families:  Shelly Schlumpf, Janice and Kevin Sienkiewich and Tracy and Robert Odd; sister Muriel Wilkins, six grandchildren, Nick, Jennifer, Joseph, Carly, Ashley, Mitchell and two great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Jeanette Jones, brothers, Benjamin and Larry, sisters Billie Jean Zumbuhl and Diane Cope and son-in-law, David Schlumpf.

A graveside service for family and friends will be held at the Orting Cemetery on Thursday, October 13, at 11am, followed by a 1pm memorial service at Edgewood Bible Church, 1720 Meridian Avenue East, Edgewood, Washington.

Dale and Madeline Jones with city officials breaking ground for the Orting Station

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Multicare Hospice or the Heart Foundation.

Keeping Up With The Jones

My friends, Dale and Madeline Jones, had a front row seat at the comings and goings of life this summer. First they had a surprise birth of triplets at their place. Dale was making the rounds at their RV Storage and Trucking business here in town when he heard the cries of the new mother and went to investigate. There she was floundering around and wailing as if mortally wounded.

As he searched the gravel parking lot to see what was causing her injurious behavior, he found the source. A small hollowed out dent in the ground that held four large eggs recently laid by the mama killdeer. She was trying with all her power to detract attention from the nest by screeching her distinctive cry and acting like her wing was broken. Concerned for the egg's safety and wanting to improve on the woefully inadequate housing mom and dad killdeer had provided for their offspring, Dale plucked handfuls of grass and erected a circle of protection around the eggs.

Dale and Madeline began holding daily vigil and conducting visitor tours of the tiny drama unfolding behind their home, watching, waiting and counting the days in anticipation of the new arrival's hatching time. Amazingly, their dogs left the little bird family alone. Mama and daddy killdeer took turns sitting on the eggs, but in typical fashion of their breed, often left the nest unattended while they went about their daily business. The eggs blended in with the gravel camouflage around them and Dale worried that someone was going to drive over them so he set up bright orange safety cones with a warning sign, making an effective barricade to anyone who might accidentally run over the babies.

The solution worked well until tragedy hit when the wind came up and blew the cone sign over with a direct hit onto the nest. Dale was mortified when he went to check on the egg's progress and discovered the crash had disastrously broken one of the eggs. When Madeline gave me an update she was puzzled that by later in the day all evidence of the broken egg had disappeared. I recalled my parents telling me that chickens will often eat a broken egg so perhaps this was what killdeer do to remove smell and attraction from other predators in order to protect the remaining offspring.

Around six weeks later the newborns hatched. Dale and Madeline's hearts had really gone to the birds as they announced that Orting had a population increase of three and watched with grandparent's pride as the youngsters grew and gained independence. They worried when the clan disappeared for periods of time and excitedly heralded the news when the kids came back again for a visit.

In the middle of all the avian antics, Dale kept running their business and Madeline worked on her paintings until they learned their much loved son-in-law, David Schlumpf, was very ill. The family closed ranks, holding on, hoping, caring, spending time together and loving each other. Just as fast as the baby birds made their unexpected arrival, David's health rapidly deteriorated and he passed away by the end of August. In the midst of these unexpected turns in life, I watched and admire their great example of grace, faith, and strength. When I asked Madeline how they were doing she replied simply "I am so blessed".

It is a good reminder to me to marvel at life's little miracles and count the good things in life instead of dwelling on my problems. I am so thankful for wonderful friends, family, and a community that cares.