Dayle Collison

Obituary Bernard Dayle Collison June 18, 1924 - August 25, 2012 Dayle Collison passed away on Saturday, August 25th at his home at Patriots Landing in DuPont with his son and daughter by his side. He was born in Maitland, Missouri to William and Jesse Collison, and was the only boy with five sisters. Three weeks after he turned 16 he "misstated" his age to join the Mississippi National Guard and earn some spending money for the summer. Not long after that, his unit was federalized and he found himself in the middle of WWII in the Pacific. After the war, his unit was assigned to Fort Lewis where he met his future wife, Grace Chimenti, at a USO dance at the National Guard Armory in Tacoma. Dayle and Grace traveled the world together and spent time in Japan, Italy, and several posts in the US. Dayle started out in the infantry in the Pacific Theater during WWII, then was a master parachutist with 96 jumps, including combat in the Korean War, and finished his career as a pilot. After retiring from the Army in 1962, Dayle and Grace returned to Tacoma with their three sons, Tom, Mike and Pat, where Dayle began his second career in real estate. He started Collison Realty and soon became active in the Pierce County real estate community. At one point he had four different Collison Realty offices in Lakewood, Puyallup, Parkland and Lacey. He served as president of the Tacoma Pierce County Board of Realtors, the Washington State Association of Realtors, and as a national director for the National Association of Realtors. Governor Spellman appointed Dayle to the Washington Real Estate commission in 1982 and he served two six-year terms. In spite of all of his professional successes, he was most proud of his family; they meant everything to him. Dayle was Italian by marriage and every red wine to him was Merlot. He was married to the love of his life, Grace, for almost 60 years until she passed away in 2006. Together they had four children: three sons and a daughter. Dayle was firm with his sons, but he always referred to his daughter (and nieces and granddaughters) as "Princess." Both Dayle and Grace loved to have their family around even to the end. Dad was most content at large family gatherings and the twinkle in his eye got a bit brighter when they were around, especially when he got to tease them. He is survived by his son Mike; daughter Carla (Randy) and granddaughter Anna Huyck; daughter-in-law Julie Collison; grandchildren Cassandra (Cody) and Remy Sandwith; Alex, Michelle, and Tony Collison. Dayle dearly missed his late wife Grace, and their two late sons Pat and Tom, and is sure to be happy in their company now. He was a leader in the army, the real estate industry and our family. Dad worked hard every day of his life; now it's his time to rest. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 12:00 noon at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.