Allie Dale Hendricks
Allie Dale Hendricks, 94, passed away Feb. 14, 2026, in Moses Lake, Wash.
Dale was born May 3, 1931, in Columbia, Murray County, Tenn. His father was Jon Allie Hendricks and his mother was Mary Lucinda (Harmon) Hendricks.
Childhood
When Dale was 6 years old, upon the death of his parents, he and his three siblings were sheltered in a Christian Orphanage Home in Spring Hill, Tenn.
Dale talked some about the experiences he had living under the strict discipline and teachings of the matrons during his younger years.
Dale had a fantastic memory, and he could memorize verses out of the Bible and recite them back when visiting pastors came to the church or when there was a special program where Bible reading was appropriate. For his effort, he would be paid a quarter, which he used to buy a candy bar. Dale had a sweet tooth for chocolate.
Dale also talked about how the matrons would teach the children proper etiquette and good manners. One thing that really upset Dale was when he and his siblings would walk to school; they had to go past some fancy homes. The rich ladies would be sitting on the front porch in their rocking chairs, visiting and gossiping. Occasionally, he could hear them say, "I feel so sorry for those poor little orphan kids." Dale was in the orphanage home during the Great Depression. Even during those hard times, the kids were all well fed and taken care of.
The orphanage building was a three-story building. The first floor was for formal eating and church services; the second floor was for the girls' living quarters, and the third floor was for the boys' living quarters. There were well over a hundred children housed in the facility during the time Dale was living there.
Education & Career
After graduating from the eighth grade, Dale went to Spring Hill High School and graduated in 1950. After high school, Dale enrolled in the Columbia Military Prep School, which prepared men to serve in the military or trained them to enroll in the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduating from High School, Dale enrolled in the Columbia Military School. This school was like a junior college.
This school had a football program, and Dale played junior college football for two years while going to the Columbia Military School. Dale talked about Coach Bass and how he had a big influence on his life. Dale mentioned more than once that he had to get rid of "the chip that was on his shoulder." As Dale talked about his experiences, he said Coach Bass was the man who helped him grow up. Coach Bass did not take any "BS" from Dale. No excuses about not turning in the assignments, or saying he read the lesson when Coach Bass knew very well that Dale did not read the reading assignment.
Dale had a lot of respect for his coach. More than once, Dale said, "Coach Bass made a man out of me!"
On one of Dale's visits back home, Dale tried to look up his old coach but never had the opportunity to thank him for all he had done.
Dale served three years and nine months in the Air Force. He spent time in Japan and Korea. Dale finished up his military experience with Uncle Sam here in Moses Lake, Wash. Dale was Honorably Discharged here at Larson Air Force Base.
Upon being discharged, Dale started working for Dan Dunn, pumping gas and running the wrecker business for Dunn Auto. Working for Dan Dunn was the best thing that happened to Dale since leaving Tennessee and Coach Bass. Dan and Dale farmed together and raised a lot of hay. He and Dan served on the rodeo board together, and they ran the Dunn Auto Parts Business together for 54 years. Dale worked at Dunn Auto and was known as the best parts man in Moses Lake. It was well known that if anyone needed a part for a truck, automobile or any farm equipment, just talk to the best parts man in town and Dale, down at Dunn Auto, would find it for you!
Lifestyle
Dale loved his horses and mules; he spent time in the Methow Valley, hunting, fishing and packing with his horses and mules up into the "High Country."
Many of these experiences started with Dale's good friend, Jess Johnson, building a cabin on Gold Creek in the Methow Valley back in 1959. Wayne Luft and Jess Johnson were childhood friends in Ephrata. Jess bought some property on Gold Creek and the dream was born: "Having a Hunting Cabin up in the hills on a beautiful creek." Wayne lived in the Methow Valley at this time, and Jess knew Wayne would use his "pack string" and take them on a deer hunting trip up into the "High Country." That hunting trip developed into fishing, card playing and snowmobile trips or just getting together for weddings, birthdays, graduations or any other good excuse to head to the hills. Wayne's friendship has grown to include Wayne's children and the list goes on. The people up there are good people, salt of the earth kind of people. People you love to associate with. Some of Dale's fondest memories were up there in the Methow Valley and mountains.
Dale was known for his colorful language at times. If you knew Dale and were friends with him or part of Dale's family, you had a friend forever. Dale was the most loyal, honest and true friend anyone could ever ask for. Dale would give you the shirt right off his back. But, if you lied to him or cheated him, beware ... the day of reckoning would come.
Legacies
Dale was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna. They were married for 49 years. Donna passed away in 2003.
Dale's father, Jon Allie, passed away at an early age, in the year 1934; his mother, Mary Lucinda, passed away shortly after his father's death in 1937.
The death of both parents was the reason the children were sent to the orphanage home. Rena, being the oldest in the family, wanted all the children to stay together. The decision was made to keep everyone together and be raised as Christians. Rena passed away in 2020, sister Helen Elaine passed away in 2020, Dale's brother, Fred, passed away in 2023.
The other side of the family was the Dunns. Dan Dunn passed away in 2012. Dan Dunn was Dale's father-in-law and business partner for 54 years. Dale considered Dan his best friend, his closest business partner and a father image for all those many years that they worked together. Many other close friends and relatives have passed away, but way too many to mention.
Dale lived a good life and had many friends who visited him in the famous "Tack Room." Much was hashed over, out in that Historic Tack Room. If you knew Dale, you knew about the tack room. Oh, if those walls could talk!
Dale leaves behind, daughter Pam Hendricks and son David (Joan) Hendricks, two granddaughters, Britney Dayle Hendricks and Taylor Ray Hendricks.
At Dale's request, there will be no funeral, just a get-together for family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, Dale's request was to donate to the Shriner's Hospital for Children. The address is; Shriner's Children Hospital, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA, 99204.
A special thanks goes out to the loving care Dale received from two special "caregiving" individuals, Mikki Sneed and Robin Pederson. The family appreciated the loving care you provided and the dignity you provided for our father. Special thanks to Veronica and Staff at Blue Goose Care Center as well.
