James "Dale" Gier Sr.

James Dale Gier, Sr. (Coach Gier), longtime Pasco resident, passed away peacefully March 27, 2018, into the hands of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dale was born January 22, 1930, in Drayton, ND, to Irvin and Myrtle Gier. Most of his childhood was spent in Iowa where he attended school until the Gier family moved to Washington State in the mid-40’s. During his nearly 75 years in the Tri-Cities, Dale was a well-established community leader and served 28 years at Columbia Basin College (CBC) as an instructor, coach and administrator.

Dale was a 1948 graduate of Richland High School and a football standout as quarterback, and in baseball as pitcher. He attended University of Portland to play football before transferring to Eastern Washington University (EWU) where he earned his bachelor’s degree. At EWU he also played quarterback, leading his team to finish 8-2 overall and winning the conference title in 1950. In 1951, he enlisted in the Airforce and served in the Korean War for four years as a meteorologist. From 1952-53 he was stationed in South Korea at the Suwan (K-13) Air Base, where famous Boston Red Sox baseball player and Marine, Capt. Ted Williams, made an emergency crash landing with his Marine F-9F. Dale met Ted and took several photos, which are still part of his collection. Dale was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to school to receive his master’s degree from University of Washington and his doctorate of education from Washington State University in 1969. Having graduated from rival schools, Dale wisely chose to be a lifelong loyal Coug fan.

For 18 years, Dale served as CBC’s Dean for Community and Continuing Education where he led the development of such programs as Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, General Education Development and Social and Human Service programs. Dale also wrote curriculum and taught many courses, including physical education, geography, military and meteorology.

While Dale liked to spend time in the classroom, his real passion was on the field coaching. He joined CBC in 1963 as assistant football coach during an era considered “The Hawk Years” after coaching under Jack Elway at Grays Harbor College. He was promoted to head football coach in 1965 until 1968 when he left to pursue his doctorate. He also coached baseball and basketball. During the six years Dale coached athletics, CBC accounted for 12 league championships. Outside of CBC, Dale volunteered his time in the community coaching Grid Kids football, youth AAU track and Junior Olympics. He also organized the Pasco Kiwanis track program and volunteered at the annual Pasco Invite Track Meet. His community involvement included mentoring many local kids, helping them develop their athletic abilities and team leadership skills. Today, many acknowledge the influence he had on their lives with several having gone forward with careers in academics and coaching.

Dale’s contributions to athletics were later recognized with honors. In 1991, he was elected into the NWAACC Roll of Honor after his illustrious career at CBC. As assistant coach, he was part of the 1963-64 CBC basketball team that was inducted into the CBC Wall of Fame for having won the Washington Junior College Association Championship with a perfect 27-0 record. On January 21, 2010, the CBC Athletic Department inducted Dale into the CBC Wall of Fame. That same year, Dale was inducted into the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame along with the 1950 Eastern Washington College football team.

Dale enjoyed many outdoor activities with family including fishing, camping and golfing with many summers spent at Priest Lake, Idaho. He loved his time with the family, particularly annual trips to Leavenworth, which started in the early 70s and continued until his death. He always made sure to get the best sidewalk seats for the Autumn Leaf Parade, even if it meant staking them out at 5 a.m. Dale held the title for best homemade ice cream, using his own secret recipe that included a dash of this and dash of that. And when he wasn’t dishing out ice cream at a family gathering, he was serving Maid-Rite hamburgers, a staple of his childhood that he had shipped overnight from Marshalltown, Iowa, in time for his annual Christmas party. We have no doubt it was Dad who initiated fast food delivery.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents Irvin and Myrtle Gier, brother Don Gier and sister Betty Hartcorn. He is survived by his brother Robert (Gloria) Gier and his children and their spouses, Tara Alexander, Jim (Anne) Gier, Deanna (Rob) Snider, Jamie Gier, Jonathan Gier, Thomas Dixon-Gier and Willow Dixon; his grandchildren Jennifer Barnhart, Kristopher Alexander, Makena Snider, Eden Snider, Noah Gier, Reagan Wilson, Isabella Gier, and Jonah Gier, in addition to many great grandchildren.

Dale was a member of Richland Lutheran Church, where funeral services were held on March 31.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CBC Foundation Athletic Account (#5050) at 509-542-4436 or mailed to 2600 N. 20^th Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301