Obituary of Dale Thomas Jones

DALE THOMAS JONES January 1, 1940 – October 7, 2011 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 was 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. 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 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. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Multicare Hospice or the Heart Foundation.