It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dale Marr.

He passed away peacefully at Whatcom County Hospice House in Bellingham on July 20, 2026, just days after his 87th birthday.

Dale was born in Bellingham, WA to Ronald “Squee” and Violet Marr on July 17, 1939. He was the fourth of five siblings and nick named “Babe” as a child. The name stuck and he was called Babe by all in the extended Marr family his entire life. Dale grew up at the foot of Mt. Baker in Glacier, WA. After graduating from Mount Baker Junior/Senior High School Dale served in the US Navy where he was stationed in Japan for 3 years. During his Navy days he excelled at the sport of boxing and brought home several trophies that he was quite proud of.

Dale married Leslie Graham on February 2, 1962, and they were married for 17 years. They welcomed three children, Michael, Tammie, and Maria, and raised their family in Glacier where Dale worked alongside his father on his parent’s mink ranch. The ranch and mink were Dale’s passion and he took the business over upon Squee and Violet’s retirement in the mid 1970s. It was hard work year around that took stamina, experience, and detailed knowledge to produce luxurious, sought after furs.

Dale was a quiet, gentle, man who was also quite stubborn when he wanted to be. Dale loved the outdoors and was a skilled hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed hiking, camping, foraging in the woods for morel mushrooms and boating. He was also a great skier and served on the D Team with the Mt. Baker Ski Patrol for many years. Many of these activities were shared with family and special friends creating years full of wonderful memories and stories.

In the early spring of 1980, Dale met Dawn Stairs and they hit it off immediately and quickly became inseparable. Dale did not believe in living together so he and Dawn entered into a marriage contract in November 1980, and Dawn moved to the mink ranch in Glacier with her three children, James, Timothy and Kimberly at that time. Dale and Dawn officially married in Reno, Nevada on March 30, 1982. The following years were filled with a full and happy life together creating many cherished memories. Dale and Dawn were members of the Seattle Fur Exchange which merged into American Legend Cooperative in the late 1980s. Dale served on the board of directors for a time and aside from the business end of things, they enjoyed the annual gala where a highlight was the opportunity to meet and take photos with supermodels such as Cindy Crawford and Kathy Ireland.

They also supported the Miss Washington Pageant for 20+ years and presented a mink shawl to each Miss Washington during the crowning ceremony. Dale and Dawn had exciting experiences traveling to Mexico, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy and Spain. Dale’s favorite trip of course was Africa, as he was a lover of all wildlife and animals. Upon retirement, they adapted the snowbird lifestyle and purchased a winter home in Bullhead City, Arizona. They loved going south for the sunshine during the winter months and Dale especially enjoyed his jeep adventures four wheeling in the desert with friends. Sadly, this came to an end with Dawn’s passing in November 2019.

Dale was predeceased by his parents Ronald and Violet Marr; wife Dawn Marr; brother Jerry Marr; sister Bonnie Naas; sister-in-law Marlene Marr; and stepson James Moore.

Dale is survived by brothers Doug (Joan) Marr and Jeff (Doris) Marr; Children Michael Marr (Shawna), Tammie Marr (Brian), and Maria Marr (Brian); Stepson Timothy Moore (Sarah); Stepdaughter Endora (FKA Kimberly) Moore; Sister-in-law Roxanne Hinesly; Daughter-in-law Kimberly Sexton; Former spouse/mother of his children Leslie Lohse; Grandchildren Danielle, Zachary, Chelsea, Cassie, Christopher, Tyler, Jenessa, Riley, Courtney, Brendan, Karissa, Missy and Quinn; 18 Great Grandchildren and many long time beloved friends.

Thank you to Danielle Leuenberger for the great love of her grandpa. Her assistance with his daily needs for the past 6+ years allowed him to live independently at home up until his last few months.

Thank you also to Dale’s caregivers from Home Attendant Care and the wonderful staff in The Cottage at Highgate Senior Living.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift in Dale’s memory to Whatcom Hospice House or The Lighthouse Mission.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Squalicum Boathouse in Bellingham on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 1 – 4pm.