Dana Ray Gabbard

Dana Ray Gabbard was born December 17, 1939, to Grace Alene Claxton Gabbard and Loyce Mac Gabbard, in Coweta, Oklahoma, the middle born of seven sons. He passed on April 12, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was proud of his family's history of moving 'Grapes of Wrath' style from Oklahoma to a one room cabin in a logging camp in Tampico, Washington, with his parents, five of his brothers, and some extended family, in the back of a 1938 Chevy pickup in the middle of winter, 1943.
He went to school at the old Barge Elementary School, Washington Jr. High, and Yakima High School, graduating in 1958, a part of the first graduating class of AC Davis High School. Soon after, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served four years on the aircraft carrier, the USS Oriskany. He was proud of his military service and was a lifelong patriot, who in his later years was very vocal about his views on God and country.
While stationed in San Diego, Dana met Patricia Corbin, whom he married and with whom he had two sons, Dana C. Gabbard, and Frank C. Gabbard. When he was discharged from the Navy, they moved to Yakima, later settling in Selah. In 1977, Dana married Penny Nicholls, and had two more children, Marc R. Gabbard, and Wendy A. Gabbard. They settled in Gleed, where they have lived for the past 41 years. They celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in February.
Dana worked for 42 years at Boise Cascade, retiring when the company closed its doors. He was a mechanic who kept all the mobile equipment running. Anyone who knew Dana could look at his hands and know he was a 'real' mechanic who was not afraid to get dirty. He made lifelong friends working at the mill. He had many funny stories and good memories from his years working there.
Cars always played a huge role in his life, starting as a teenager who, with his brothers bought, built, rebuilt, traded, drove, and sold many, many cars and trucks. There was not a 'pre-computer' vehicle that he couldn't fix. People called him on a regular basis looking for parts. If he didn't have it, he knew where it could be found. Selling at car swap meets was a favorite activity his whole adult life.
Dana loved the mountains and the ocean, with many of his memories including camping at Hause Creek and other campgrounds in the Cascades, as well as along the Oregon coast. He spent many happy times in Lincoln City and Seaside with family and friends. To celebrate their 40th anniversary, he and Penny spent four weeks on Maui.He also loved spending time in Oklahoma visiting cousins and nieces.
For nearly 40 years, Dana was Santa, giving hours and hours of time visiting family, friends and strangers all during December, bringing Christmas joy to anyone who asked and many who didn't.
Every Saturday Dana went to any yard sale he could find. He took his kids when they were small, and then his grandchildren. He would say they were social outings, though his house and shop hold evidence of his treasure hunting.
Dana was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was active in the Naches Ward, serving in a number of capacities.
Dana is survived by his wife, Penny, his children, Frank (Shirley), Marc, and Wendy (Scott), his grandchildren, Brian, Emily, Levi, Araya, Scottie, and Autumn, his brothers, Max (Beverly), Jack (Emma), Jerry (Coleen) and Victor (Sheryl), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Loyce and Alene, his brothers, Leroy and Ronnie, his son, Dana Jr, his in-laws, Marjorie and Harry Nicholls, and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 11:00am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints in Selah. A Graveside Service will immediately follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to Memorial Hospice or Inland Noerthwest Honor Flight and sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (P.O. Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com.
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