Dale M. Johnson, 80, died at Kadlec Medical Center on Aug. 8, 2011 after an exhausting battle against multiple myeloma. Dale was born in Prosser, WA to Martin and Elaine Johnson on April 21, 1931. Shortly thereafter they returned with their newborn to Aberdeen, WA where he was raised and attended school. He graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1949 and attended Grays Harbor then transferred to and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in nuclear physics. His first job was at Oak Ridge, TN with Martin Co. where he worked on the construction and production of a nuclear facility. After that he worked for Kaiser Engineering where one of his assignments was project engineer for the space flight facility at Houston, TX. His greatest accomplishment, in his mind, was as director of the El Indio project in Chile, South America for St. Joe Mining and Metals, where he brought it in below cost and under the time frame. He returned to Tri-Cities where he worked for Westinghouse and Fluor before retiring.

Survivors include his wife Jeannine; his daughters Robin, Oakland, CA, Brigid, Pacheco, CA, Lisa, Columbia, CA, Georgia, Walla Walla, WA; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sons Derek and Dale JR.

Dale's greatest love other than his children and grandchildren was golf, and even though he played four times a week and more at Meadow Springs Country Club, he never had a hole-in-one.

Due to his wishes he was cremated without a funeral service. There will be a Celebration of Dale's Life on Saturday, September 3 from 1:00-3:00 pm at Meadow Springs Country Club.

Donations may be made in Dale's memory to Tri-City Cancer Center.

The family wishes to thank the many nurses and physicians at Kadlec Medical Center for their great care and to his specialists: Dr. Najera, Dr. Wadhwa, Dr. Arif and Dr. Haque. Also special thanks to the staff at Tri-City Cancer Center and Fresenius Dialysis Center in Kennewick.