Dallas Derrine Engel

Dallas Engel passed away at home on November 8, 2025. Dallas was born on March 23, 1938, in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, to Fred and Martha Engel. The family soon returned to McClusky, North Dakota, where he spent most of his youth and gained two brothers and three sisters. He worked on his parents’ farm and at the local farmers' elevator.

After high school, Dallas left McClusky for Bismarck to attend Nursing School, where he met his first wife, Georgia Granfor. They married in 1961, and shortly after, Dallas joined the Air Force. Over 20 years of service, he lived in eight states, with his favorite being Colorado Springs. He also had two overseas assignments and achieved many accomplishments while making numerous friends. During this time, Dallas and Georgia had four children: Barbara, Michael, Kathleen, and Susan. He retired from the Air Force in 1982 and stayed in Tucson, Arizona, for several years.

To keep busy after his military retirement, Dallas continued working in the nursing field. He opened his own Home Health Agency with a co-worker and eventually created the Home Infusion Therapy Department at the University of Arizona Medical Center. If that wasn't enough, he and Georgia spent time traveling, playing bridge, and dancing with friends. Dallas fully retired to take care of his ailing wife, Georgia, and in 1996 they moved to Spokane, Washington, to be closer to their families.

After Georgia’s passing, Dallas married Shirley Huffman in 2000. They remained in Spokane, working on her parents’ farm, cutting and baling hay. His love for hockey began and never waned, even traveling to Canada to watch the Spokane Chiefs. As age caught up with him, he stopped working on the farm and kept just a few cows to stay busy. Dallas and Shirley were also very involved with their church, the Disabled Veterans Association, and the American Legion. In 2025, Dallas was presented with the Veteran’s Association Quilt of Valor.

At 87, Dallas continued to live his life to the fullest, whether it was spending time in the field checking on the cows, repairing fences, or attending Spokane Chiefs hockey games. He was a caring, happy, and compassionate individual who was considered a friend by many.

Dallas is preceded in death by his parents Fredrick and Martha (Goll) Engel, brother Alan Engel, sister Brenda Engel, his first wife Georgia (Granfor) Engel, and daughter Kathleen (Engel) Darrell. He leaves behind his second wife Shirley, daughters Barbara (Raymond) Linn, Michael (Kristi) Engel, Susan (Scott) Peterson, eight grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and many, many friends. He is greatly loved and will be greatly missed.