Darle Dwight Wilson Obituary (1923

Darle Dwight Wilson, 91, formerly of Bremerton passed peacefully from this world on 7 JUN 2015 in Yelm, WA. He spent his last months in his daughter's home to be watched over lovingly by his family. He especially enjoyed it when his great grandchildren visited. He commented often on their energy and innocence and especially loved playing his harmonica to watch his 3 yr. old great granddaughter dance. He also looked forward to seeing his daughter's 2 black labs each morning and enjoyed their love for him. It brought back memories of a dog, Mitzi, he'd had as a boy. Darle was born the eldest of two children to Claude Edward and Elsie Wilhelmina (Mark) Wilson at Dakota, Dresbach Township, MN on 8 AUG 1923. He lived a very lean life when growing up as his father only attended school through the 8th grade. Seeing his parents struggle, he decided to get an education and make something of his life. He graduated from high school in Winona, MN and continued at the state college in that town where he received his BS. He then went to Minneapolis to earn his Master's degree from the University of Minnesota in music and played in the University's symphony orchestra. He put himself through school partly by playing the string bass in dance bands. He went on to teach music in the Bremerton school district for 32 years, retiring in JUN 1982. WWII interrupted Darle's education as he was drafted into the military where he served in the Army Air Corps, 494th Bombardier Group as a radar operator on a B-24 serving in the Pacific. During the nearly three years he was in the service, he achieved the rank of sergeant and earned many medals including a Bronze Star. On the lighter side of service life, he conducted two male glee clubs at different bases and played drums in the drum and bugle corps. After the war, he received an honorable discharge out of Fort Lewis and went home to Minnesota to finish college. He married the love of his life, Verda Smith, on 25 JUN 1949 in Winona, MN and a year, after completing his Master's, they moved to Bremerton which became their home for the next 64 years until her passing in JAN 2015. He taught band and orchestra at East High School and then went to Dewey Jr. High School (his first love) which is now Mountain View Middle School as well as several elementary schools. He also taught privately at his home to many of his school students. Darle continued to enjoy playing his bass in the Bremerton Symphony as well as guest conducting many times. He directed and sang in the Bremerton chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America as well as directing his church choir over 46 years. He imparted his love of music to his children who find great comfort and joy in it to this day. Come rain or shine, without fail, Darle could be found on the golf course every SAT and often during the week. He was also an avid reader as well as crossword puzzle solver. Even at 91, he could still figure out the puzzles on Wheel of Fortune before his wife or children. Special memories for him were his many years of deer hunting trips as well as fishing with his son in eastern WA. He took many trips around the states and to Europe to visit a daughter and her family who were in the military. He enjoyed family get-togethers as well and in his final days couldn't believe how many descendents he ended up with. He had a delightful sense of humor right up to the end and often caught his daughter off guard with a joke or tease. He'd give it away with a wink and smile. Darle was preceded in death by his wife, Verda; a daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Steve McCullough; his sister Lorraine Arls Peterson, granddaughter Natalie Fry and nephew Larry Smith. Darle leaves behind son Douglas of Lind, WA; daughter Marilee (Dale) Fry of Yelm, WA; sister-in-law Ruth (Jerry) Todd of Fountain City, WI; brother-in-law Donald Peterson of Kent, WA; grandchildren, Nathan (Amy) Fry; Derek (Jen) Fry; Joseph (fiancee Jaclyn) Fry and LeGrand (Nina) Fry; Lindsay (Jedd) Pelander and Trevor (Jennae) Wilson; Jacob and Rachel McCullough. He also leaves behind 16 great grandchildren and 7 nieces and 4 nephews. A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church (811 Veneta Ave., Bremerton) on 20 June, 2015 at 1 PM.