Dale M. Harlan

Sept. 5, 1924 - Mar. 21, 2017 Dale M. Harlan, age 92, of Lincoln City, Ore., died March 21, 2017, in Lincoln City. He was born in Glendale, West Virginia on September 5, 1924, the second of 11 children born to Harry Harlan and Lulu Calvert Harlan. Dale left West Virginia soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when he volunteered for the US Army and was sent overseas. He was awarded two battle stars and the Air Medal for service in the Central Pacific. Subsequently, he volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and was assigned to Company E, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles). Dale received two battle stars in Europe, two Presidential Unit Citations, and a Purple Heart. He was severely wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium in January 1945. In 1984, he was a charter member and elected the first president of the 101st Airborne Division Association, Oregon Cascade Chapter, holding a lifetime membership in that organization. Following World War II, Dale attended and graduated from University of Oregon in 1948. He remained a loyal Duck his entire life. Using the benefits of his GI Bill, he attended Stanford Law School for two years where William Rhenquist (US Supreme Court Chief Justice) and Sandra Day O'Connor (US Supreme Court Justice) were fellow classmates in the Class of 1952. He then attended University of Colorado Law School for one year where he graduated in 1952. Dale practiced law in Milwaukie, Oregon, for over 40 years and remained a member (inactive) of the Oregon State Bar from which he received his 50 Year recognition in 2005. He was elected as a Democrat for two terms in the Oregon Legislature from 1965 to 1969 and for two four-year terms as Clackamas County Commissioner, serving from 1983 to 1990. During his life, he was active in assisting the needy and working for more opportunity for young people. He was formerly a member of Milwaukie Kiwanis Club, Milwaukie Rotary Club, and Milwaukie Presbyterian Church. At the time of his death, he had joint membership in Reedwood Friends Church (Portland, OR) and Chapel by The Sea Presbyterian Church (Lincoln City, OR). Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Estle; his four children Janice Harlan-Raisl, David Harlan, James (Lise) Harlan, and Nancy (Chris) Harlan Crean (their mother, Joyce N. Harlan, is deceased); his stepchildren Randy (Joan) Butler and Cindy (Jeff) Bieker - all of Oregon. He had ten grandchildren: Dana, Will, Colin, Ned, Anna, Kristi, Kevin (in heaven), Allie, Sammi, and Mackenzie, and three great grandchildren: Penelope, Lily, and Nash. Siblings Grace Maguire in Oregon, and Ron Harlan in West Virginia, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews in West Virginia also survive him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017, 11:00 a.m., at Chapel by The Sea Presbyterian Church, 2125 SE Lee St. Lincoln City (east off Hwy 101 at SE 19th, left on Lee St.) Reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lincoln City Food Pantry, 1505 NE 6th Dr, Lincoln City, OR 97367.

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Dale M. Harlan

September 5, 1924 - March 21, 2017