Dale Coultas, 96, of Methow, WA, passed away January 5, 2010, at home. He was born August 11, 1913, on a farm near Reading, MN, to Marguerite Elizabeth (Kinsman) Coultas and Roy Walter Coultas. In March, 1918, the family moved to Emmetsburg, IA. Because Roy Coultas was a farm laborer, the family moved many times, but remained in Northwestern Iowa throughout his childhood. He graduated from Ware High School in June, 1932. After working briefly as a farm laborer, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1936. After boat training, his first assignment was with the Mine Force Fleet at Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, he was serving on board the destroyer USS Ramsay (DM16) and so became a Pearl Harbor survivor. The ship had the "Ready Duty" that eventful day and was the second ship to steam out of Pearl Harbor during the attack. At the time, Dale was Machinist Mate 1st Class. In 1948, he married Nina Elvira Martin at the Submarine Base Chapel in the U.S. Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor, HI. His naval career ended in October, 1968, when he received an honorable discharge for over 32 years of service, having attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. In December, 1968, he earned a Merchant Marine License as Chief Engineer of Steam or Diesel driven ships. On January 1, 1969, he signed on board the Thomas G. Thompson, a marine research ship of the University of Washington, as 1st Assistant Engineer and later became Chief Engineer and finally Port Engineer for the UW. In the following years, as a Merchant Marine, he sailed on cargo ships hauling ammunition and supplies during the Vietnam Conflict. He also worked for Foss Tug of Tacoma, WA, hauling supply barges to the North Slope oil field. He finally retired from many years as a seaman while working for Global Marine, where as Chief Engineer he worked on deep-sea drilling ships developing the North Sea Oil Field off Scotland. He also helped manage a large ranch in Arizona for Evelyn and Jerry Williams, his younger sister and her husband. He next settled with Nina in Methow, WA in 1979, and together they began a new career as orchardists. The Bar C Orchard grew award-winning apples and pears and provided many years of enjoyment for the whole family. Dale was an avid sports fan and loyal supporter of the Seattle Sonics, Mariners and Seahawks. Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing of all kinds and had the opportunity to do deep sea as well as river, lake and stream fishing. Fishing for steelhead on the banks of his orchard on the Methow was a dream come true. He was a skilled hunter and outdoorsman. He loved hiking and few could keep up with him, even in his later years. He enjoyed cutting fire wood and always had plenty of wood for the winter. Dale was a true gentleman of the Valley and had many friends throughout the Methow Valley. He was well liked by all who knew him and his opinion was valued by family and friends. He will always be remembered for the way he and Nina nurtured their kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren. His life was one of service, never considering his own needs, but always how he could better the lives of those around him. Everyone was drawn into the stories he told of his childhood, youth, farm experiences, naval career and hunting excursions. He had a keen memory and could relate the clearest details of his life, even to the end. His shoes are too big for anyone else to fill. We will instead relive the memories of our time with Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa and relish the privilege of knowing him and being a part of his wonderful life.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nina Coultas; children, Sandra (Bill) Sparks of Cle Elum, WA, Diane (Bob) Bowlin of Seattle, Bill (Sandy) Coultas of Olympia, Kevin (Susan) Coultas of Brier, WA and Lori (Jerry) Hixson of Carlton, WA; two brothers, Gene (Ruth) Coultas of Florida and Don Coultas of Concord, CA; grandchildren, Selena (David) Young, David (Marie) Sparks, Kendall (Dua) Coultas, Jeffrey Bowlin, Katie Jordan, Amber (Andrew Richardson) Hixson, Chris Bowlin, Emily (Kaplan Bunce) Coultas, Tawny Hixson, Charlie Coultas, Ted Coultas, Brady Coultas, Tim Coultas and Leah Church; great-grandchildren, Scott, Acacia and Emma Young, Molly and Luke Jordan, Sai Coultas and Violet and Clover Bunce; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Coultas; mother, Marguerite Coultas; and sisters, Dorothy Svuba and Evelyn (Jerry) Williams.

Final Interment will be with Military Honors at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA later this year. Memorials may be made to Our House - Cancer Care, P.O. Box 2044, Wenatchee, WA 98807-2044.