Tributes

On Saturday morning, January 28, 2023 Dale Carlson Huffaker, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend left his mortal body behind to reside in heaven, joining his parents, Phildon and Florence, brothers Ray and Lee, and sister, Lynne. Dale was blessed to live a full life and especially enjoyed life with his magnetic and loving wife, Johanne. Dale adored Johanne, she was the love of his life, calling her his beloved Josie. Together they soaked in every squeeze, kiss, cruise, trip, karaoke night with friends, and beach sunset they could find. They also loved movies and if they were not on a trip, singing or working, you wouldn't be surprised to find them there. They were blessed to be married for 25 years before he passed peacefully at home, having been surrounded by family, friends, hospice nurses who devoted loving care, and always his soulmate, his Joise. He was eighty-six. Dale was born to Phildon and Florence Huffaker on November 5, 1936, in Ogden Utah and the youngest of three boys. A few years later, the family moved to Ontario Oregon where his baby sister Lynne was born. Dale was adored by his mother, and they carried a special bond throughout life, he also loved being a big brother to his sister, who had down-syndrome, and was protective of her during their time together at home. Music was a big part of his life. Dale loved singing and playing the piano and ukulele. He had a beautiful tenor voice and when he was in high school, he was asked to sing solos and be in quartets, madrigals and the choir. He played the piano and sand with his children while they were young - a fond memory. We remember dad singing all the romantic and upbeat tunes many by Karen Carpenter, Barry Manilow, The Lettermans, the song Windy by The Association, and many Christmas carols. When he moved to Palm Springs, he joined the Palm Springs, Ukulele Group, playing songs with friends and entertaining patients at assisted living centers and other venues with pure enjoyment. Dale served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the North Central State Mission in 1957. He was a strong leader and was called to be an assistant to the mission president, and helped to rewrite the mission plan for that mission. He loved the scriptures and was very well versed in them, easily quoting verses from memory. Dale was proud to be a college graduate and a lawyer. Coming from a farming family, education was the way to a life he wanted and he had great ambitions for himself. Dale graduated with a Bachelors in Business from BYU in 1963. He volunteered for active duty in the army and was in the reserve as a way to accomplish school and serve his country - he did so proudly. He reached his collegiate goal by attending UCLA and becoming a Juris Doctor of Law in 1965. While at BYU, he married Carolee Hickox, his high school sweetheart, in the Salt Lake City Temple. They had four children together: Cynthia, Laurany, Stephen Dale, and Richard Lee. Dale worked for the San Bernardino District Attorney's Office for 4 years and was highly praised for his work as a prosecuting attorney. He then joined Delatore, Piazza and Huffaker in Apple Valley in 1969. In 1976, he moved his family to Sandy Utah, desiring to be closer to his father and mother, who were experiencing health issues. After his parents both passed, he moved back to California where he began his own practice and was a trusted lawyer and advisor until he retired in his 80's. He was loved by his clients and paralegal assistants, Sandy and Michele. Dale was best known for his quick-witted humor, smile at the beach, political banter, enjoyment of music and movies, unwavering passion for his country, profound love for Johanne, a spiritual longing - adamant at the end, that he was "born a Mormon and would die a Mormon." He is survived by his wife Johanne, his children, Cindy (William), Laurany, Steve (Julie), Rick, 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and his brother Phil (Kit). A family celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in his memory. In lieu of flowers, his wife asks that those who are able instead make a donation for research advancing treatment and cures for Alzheimer's: http://curealz.org/giving/.

Tributes

Mr. Dale Carlson Huffaker

November 5, 1936 - January 28, 2023