Dale Tracy

Dale was 56 years and 4 months old exactly when he passed away April 10, 2016, due to complications from lung cancer. He was a long time resident (over 45 years) of Idaho Falls, Idaho, with the exception of time in the Navy and postings overseas and in Hawaii.

Dale was born December 10, 1959, in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He, his parents, and sister, moved home to Idaho Falls, when he was about three-years old. He dropped out of the 10th Grade in high school but attained his GED with recognition of second highest test scores in the United States for the year 1977. After this achievement he went into the Navy. While in the Navy he was given an academic award for outstanding achievements in learning. He never saw service on any boat, but was a valued crew member as an Improved System Acoustic Operator aboard P-3 Orion long range patrol planes. He was considered a "Fly Boy." Dale was honored with a Comnavairpac Battle "E" award for the period of 1 Jan 79 through 30 Jun 80. While stationed at Cubi Point on Subic Bay in the Philippines he and his crew (VP-4 Crew 9) were awarded "Crew Of The Quarter, in recognition of outstanding performance in compatwing two operations" on October-December 1980. Other awards included a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and a First Good Conduct Award for the period ending in 28 February 81. Dale made the local Post Register newspaper on August 11, 1980, when he aided in a refugee locate mission over the waters of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. This mission lasted about six months and he and about 360 other Navy servicemen helped save hundreds of Vietnamese refugees in distress on the seas.

Dale enjoyed hard work with his hands and was employed as a sandblaster, welder, and carpenter. His cabinets and tables are beautiful and well made with solid woods. He continued his carpentry by expressing artistry in creating numerous hollow form turned wood vessels/bowls and segmented turned vessels. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing in the nearby Idaho Mountains and streams. His love of archery hunting kept him out walking the hills from the summer until the end of each yearly season by late fall. His wife joined him as often as she could and enjoyed their outings. He had a somewhat twisted sense of humor and would tease others with funny ideas and anecdotes.

He married his wife, Melanie, in January, 1988, and was committed to her devotedly until his death. They had no children, other than the furry kind. Dale was an honorable man who would tell you the truth even when it hurt. He was a faithful husband and a dependable, trustworthy friend.

Dale is survived by his wife, Melanie DeBurle-Tracy, his sister, Vicki Tracy, and his loyal and faithful German shepherd, Khan. He is predeceased by his father, Jim Tracy, and his mother, Sylvia Tracy, and a very special tabby cat he named Terrorist. There will be no memorial service. Since Dale will be cremated there will be no interment service either however, a small wake will be had with close friends and relatives at another time.

In lieu of flowers, Dale's wife requests donations be given to her directly, or to Wood Funeral Home to help with expenses. They are making all funeral arrangements and will post Dale's obituary on their website: www.woodfuneralhome.com. You may contact them with any questions at (208) 522-2751. Comments and candle lightings on their website are welcome.

No Memorial Services will be held. A wake will be held at a later date. He passed away