Dale Allon Bohannan, age 74, passed away surrounded by love in his hometown of Medford, Oregon, on Tuesday, November 29th, 2022, after a sudden illness.
Dale was born October 26th, 1948, to Allon Richard and Anna Dale Bohannan (neé Coleman) at Sacred Heart Hospital in Medford, OR. A graduate of Medford Senior High, he went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Architecture, from the University of Oregon in 1970.
After graduation, Dale immediately started his illustrious career as a Community Relations & Project Coordinator for the City of Medford. During this time he also dedicated himself to learning the State of Oregon’s Building Codes. This led him down the path of working for several jurisdictions in the Rogue Valley as a dedicated Plans Examiner, Building Official, Code Compliance Official, and Consultant. Some of these jurisdictions include: Cities of Medford, Ashland, Eagle Point, and Jacksonville, as well as Jackson County. Dale also found time to sit on the State of Oregon Electrical Board (1989-1992) and serve as President of the International Conference of Building Officials (Southern Oregon Chapter).
In 2000, Dale partnered with good friends, Pat & Lois DeBenedetti, to create Building Development Services, which offered private code consultation and inspection. Dale also taught several classes in the Construction Technology program at Rogue Community College in White City. Many of his students have gone on to work in construction and the public sector. Although Dale “technically” retired in 2016, he was not one to rest on his laurels. Up until his passing, he continued to volunteer his time for local organizations such as Lifelong Housing of Jackson County. He also mentored countless people throughout his life - Dale was a great teacher with an endless depth of knowledge. He epitomized the definition of humbleness and was a devoted friend to many.
In 1968, Dale married Suzanne Raye Kinney of Medford, Oregon. They shared two children together; a daughter, Sara Lynn and a son, Whitney Allon. In 1996, Dale married his current love, Deborah Mary Timms, at the Jackson County Courthouse in Medford, Oregon.
The list of Dale’s hobbies is as varied and colorful as the fabric he wove on his loom! His earliest passions included fishing, boating, and sailing. In college, he was a radio DJ and continued to tinker with various electronics throughout his life. Dale won numerous trophies over the years playing in the local bowling league. He also enjoyed just about anything with fast wheels, but particularly relished Porsches and Harley Davidsons. An exceptional musician (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, mandolin), Dale loved listening & playing the blues and rock & roll. Notably, Dale was a gifted and well-rounded artist who created with mediums such as watercolor, ink, stained glass, and textile weaving. He also loved the outdoors and traveling. Dale was especially fond of camping in the RV, golfing at the local courses, meeting friends at the weekly Rooster Club, playing cards & winning Trivial Pursuit, reading dozens of books at one time, going to plays and blues concerts, target shooting at the gun range, birdwatching and identifying bird songs, and putting together puzzles. Last but not least, Dale was a loyal Oregon Ducks fan.
Dale is survived by his wife, Debbie; children, Sara & Whitney; stepdaughter, Christa Rodriguez; sister, Judy Fitzgerald; grandchildren Caitlyn Boyd, Noah Bohannan, & Sam, Josiah, Eliana, Bethany, Finley Miller; great-granddaughter Freya Miller; many cousins in the Bohannan, Dragoo & Coleman families; and walking buddy & grandpup, Chechu. He is predeceased by father, Allon; mother, Anna Dale; Carl Williamson (Anna Dale’s second husband); and first wife, Suzanne.
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Dale’s Celebration of Life will be held at Eagle Point Community Bible Church on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 11 am - 2 pm at 27 South Shasta Avenue, Eagle Point.
The celebration will include a slideshow, displays, and stories shared, followed by lunch. Please dress comfortably, and if you would like to wear plaid, the pattern was one of Dale's favorites.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rockafairy (rockafairy.org) or Habitat For Humanity Rogue Valley in Dale’s memory.
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” Dolly Parton