Dale Lee Hamilton

Dale Lee Hamilton, 84, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Olympia, Washington. Dale was born July 21, 1937, in Toledo, Washington just minutes before his twin brother, Dean Hamilton. His parents were turkey farmers James “Jim” Hamilton and Florence (Bishop) Hamilton of Chehalis, Washington and he had one sister, Arlene Hadaller. Living on the border between Chehalis and Onalaska, Dale went to school in Onalaska where he met Edna Kempf. They were married June 18, 1955, shortly after graduating.

Dale was an accomplished farmer. His awards included a dairy merit award, 1968 Lewis County Dairyman of the Year, and an award for their Open House. He aspired to contribute within his peers and was Washington State Dairy Federation President in 1973 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Chehalis Jaycees for outstanding community service. He retired from dairy farming at the age of 37 in 1974.

After retiring from the dairy business, Dale established a fertilizer business and raised replacement heifers. This allowed him and his wife the ability to travel. Avid Christians, their travels included several months long mission related trips to Bolivia, Brazil, and Mexico where they built schools, etc. Later in life, Dale expressed his love of working outdoors through his gardens, both vegetable and floral. His home was a showpiece of that love.

Surviving Dale is his twin brother Dean Hamilton; His daughters Darla (Gary) Ryser and Dayla (Brett) Foster; His grandchildren Justin (Jenn) Ryser, Jessica Collins, Jacob (Noriko) Ryser, Alexis (Matthew) Gage, Matthew Foster, and Seth (Bailey) Foster; At the time of his death, he had nine great-grandchildren, Aiden and Averi Collins, Lily and Dane Gage, Elliot Ryser, and Aulley, Samantha, Abigail, and Noah Foster.

Dale’s family has planned a private gathering to bury his ashes at Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis next to his wife and his parents. If you wish to honor Dale, please consider Hard Hats for Christ, Shriners Hospital for Children, planting a plant, or seeing a musical. These represent his great loves.

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