Glen Dale Stockwell was a native of the Midwest, but he spent more than 60 years in Oregon and Washington. Born on May 28, 1929, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, he was the oldest of seven siblings. His parents, Pearl Stockwell Bland and Russell Hamilton Bland, raised all of the children on a dairy and produce farm outside of town.
As a young man, Dale's family migrated to the Pacific Northwest looking for better work opportunities. Always curious and mechanically inclined, he studied electronics at local colleges. This was a life-long habit that he continued into his eighties.
In 1959 Dale married Donna Sharlene Brooks in Eugene, Oregon. Together they raised six children and shared a life for more than 53 years. Donna was the love of his life. They kissed every morning and every night even when they were not happy with one another.
Once the couple moved to Seattle, Dale worked as a movie projectionist at the Ballard Bay Theater. He also sold books and continued to study electronics. He began his career as a communications technician and worked for Selo Electronics, Business Telephone Systems, and Integra Communications. He retired at 81 years old, after more than 45 years in the industry.
As an avid photographer, Dale spent years taking and developing pictures in his in-home dark room. He even sold photographs to local newspapers and magazines. His favorite entertainment was creating water and fireworks displays every Fourth of July.
After Donna passed away in 2013, Dale continued to live in the family home with his dog and his cat. Whenever he went out his Pomeranian, Princess, was always right by his side. He truly loved all animals, and make it a point to feed all the neighborhood birds, squirrels and raccoons. Ever the entrepreneur, he pursued a variety of on-line and mail order businesses.
Dale was a loving but firm man who impacted many lives. He passed away peacefully October 24, 2017, after a brief illness. He is survived by his children, Sherrel Lee (Dean), Jerry Smith (Laurel), Randall Kilger (Lisa), Glenda Neacsu, Russ Stockwell (Susan), Meda Muir (Ron) and Sean Stockwell (Megan). Many grandchildren and great grandchildren will miss "Grandpa Stockwell."