Dale Archie Taylor, 75

Dale Archie Taylor, formerly of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, died Oct.19, 2023, at age 75 in Kalispell, Mont., surrounded by his loving family. He courageously fought cancer. 

A memorial service will be held Nov. 5, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Grace Bible Fellowship, 6291 Main St., in Bonners Ferry.

Dale was born March 7, 1948, to Kenneth and LaDonna Taylor in Wisconsin. He grew up in Bishop, Calif., graduated Bishop Union High School in 1966 and completed an associate of art degree in 1969 from Lassen College in Susanville, Calif.

He spent summers fighting fires with the forest service in the mountains of California. Dale joined the Navy in 1969 during the Vietnam War. Of the four-plus years, he was at sea for a total of three years, 10 months, and 27 days, on the USS Edson.

Dale married Colleen in October 1970. Together they raised their four children in North Idaho. He worked at the sawmill for 27 years, he built their house with his own hands and spent his spare time fishing, hunting, camping, and gardening. He especially loved fishing. He loved being on the lake, the beauty of the outdoors, shared moments with his many fishing partners and friendly competition for who could catch the most or biggest fish. The quietness broken by his mischievous laugh when he out-fished you.

Dale is preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Colleen. He then lived near Bishop for 15 years, remarried and fished some more. He also hiked to the summit of Mount Whitney at age 60.

Dale was raised in a loving Christian home and he did the same for his family. His faith and hope in Jesus were spoken throughout his life in word and deed. As Hebrews 13:16 says, he “did not neglect to do good.”

Dale is survived by his daughters, Emily (Dan) Gibson of Bonners Ferry and June (Scott) Huckeba of Kalispell, Montana; his sisters, Carolyn Brown of California and Marilyn Troudel of Arkansas; and his five grandchildren.