Dale Jay ATKINSON Obituary (2025)

Dale Jay Atkinson passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2025, with his four natural and some of his adopted daughters at his bedside. It was sudden, unexpected, has been a whirlwind, and we thank everyone for reaching out. Please know you are remembered and appreciated. Dale is preceded in death by his parents, George and Allene Atkinson, his sister Ullene (George) Pemberton, and sister Kay (Cliff) Brady. He leaves behind his brother, Keith (Kathy) Atkinson, sister, Lynnette (Rich) Siler, his girls, his grandchildren and great grandchildren - all of whom will miss him dearly. He had a special fondness for his nieces, nephews, once in-laws and cousins and friends of his kids. He frequently asked about and wished every best to those he hadn't seen in years. Dale considered everyone a friend or family and appreciated social time, evidenced by his frequency at certain places: initially the Ranch House and then many years with the Jean's Cottage Inn family and Uncle Leroy. Many a family meet up happened there. The schools his kids attended were frequent beneficiaries of his art knowledge, supplies and even the sign that hung over Broadway Elementary for years (go Broadway Beavers and McKinley Mavericks!). Numerous schoolmates still ask about our dad and tell us how fondly they remember him. He loved to help others. As a young man, Dale joined the circus for a season, played several years in local bands, even guest appearing with the Kingsmen a couple of times. He spent the most time as a drummer for a Yakima based band, the Intruders. Painting signs was new to him in high school, but it soon made him money, helped him in the Army and as a young dad managing a large food market in Walla Walla - back when 1" cones with soft serve were free to store customers. In Toppenish, Dale had a sign shop before he worked for Heath Signs and ended up partnering and then buying out B & D Sign Shop on 4th Avenue in Yakima. Lettering signs, sandblasting, silk-screening, truck lettering, gold leaf applications, glass etching, and even more were in his repertoire of skills, and he relished the challenge of signage. Dale loved things farm and mountain related, and thanks to men willing to share their livestock heritage he participated in roundups, cattle drives, rodeos and more. One reservation adventure (~1974) found him kicked in the eye by a calf, leaving him with one constricted pupil for the rest of his life, and he appreciated his sight until the end. He always appreciated working alongside men he greatly respected, and in that area, just some of whom are/were the Bergerons, Harvey, Jack, George, Junior, and Leroy Adams, John (Lexie) Mesplie II, Red Smith, Pep Manjaraz, the Blodgetts, Roger Nobles, and more. Painting signs led to a lot of pinstriping and car shows for him, and his kids. Over 20 consecutive years (except a Covid burp) he worked the Packwood Car Show, and he loved it. He was at the Good Guys Car Show & Brush Bash in Puyallup every year it didn't conflict with the Packwood show. The Portland Roadster Show was also a special treasure to him because he painted along side of Blackfeet Don, and others, to benefit kids with cancer. It started out with personalizing children's wagons (cancer kids frequently need to carry medical gear), and it branched out to pin striping items for auction to the tune of thousands of dollars - all for the cancer kids. That was important to him. He'd spent the past month in energetic preparation for that show, and it gave him joy. We've done what we can to ensure his contribution makes it to the 2025 show. Dale's classic and custom car contacts are far and wide. His work is international and in multiple publications. He loved to share his skill and knowledge and he loved car folks - wheel drivers of various kinds. The family is most grateful for you who have heard his jokes and shared his smiles. A special shout out to Judy and Dave and to those who have invested in his girls. Much love to all who's names are in our hearts. You're invited to join us to Celebrate our Dad's Life and/or support his beloved girls at noon on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the VFW in Yakima. Sandwiches and beverages will be provided. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com