Obituary - Gale Ross Dial

Gale Ross Dial

A memorial service for Gale R. (Sam) Dial, 69, a resident of Potlatch, was Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Kramer Funeral Home in Palouse with the Rev. Kathy Kramer officiating. Potlatch Post # 10300 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the United States Navy Honor Guard conducted military honors. Urn burial will be at a later date at the Freeze Cemetery. Mr. Dial died at his home Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012.

Born April 18, 1943, in the Yellow Dog area northwest of Potlatch to Jesse Ross and Grace Burnett Dial, he attended the Potlatch schools and graduated from Potlatch High School in 1961. He joined the United States Navy Feb. 6, 1962, and served during the early Vietnam era on the USS Bauer. He was discharged Jan. 27, 1965.

He married Melva Jean Wright Aug. 18, 1962 at Potlatch, and the couple made their home at Potlatch. Gale was employed as a truck driver for the McGregor Co. for a few years and later worked for Cliff Lathen driving a fuel truck for the Richfield Oil Co. in Moscow. In 1967, Gale began working for Washington State University in the power plant as a boiler operator. He became chief engineer and plant manager by the time of his retirement. His wife Melva passed away in April of 2002. He continued to make his home at Potlatch.

He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church at Potlatch, lifetime member of the Potlatch Post #10300 V.F.W. and served as commander for one year and chaplain for 25 years. He also was a member of the Mountain Home Grange, 4H leader for Latah County, hunter safety instructor for several years, a member of the Robinson Post #81, American Legion at Potlatch, Charter member of the Silver Spurs Saddle Club, a licensed hunting guide for several years and member of the Pullman Moose Lodge.

He enjoyed bird hunting, fishing and traveling. Mr. Dial also built many fishing rods, loved horses and participated in horse pulling competitions.

Survivors include one son, Sam E. (Tanya) Dial, Moscow; one daughter, Debbi Dial (Jerry) Kennedy, Stanwood; one sister, Willa Westacott, Garfield, and his companion for the past eight years, Joyce Alsterlund. Gale is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Dial Beebe.

Memorials may be given to the Potlatch Post #10300 V.F.W., Box 386, Potlatch, ID, 83855.