Dec. 31, 1922 – August 27, 2010

Dale Audrain Dorn died peacefully on August 27, 2010. Dale was born December 31, 1922, to George Mark Dorn and Bertha Leota Audrain in Redmond, Oregon. He preceded his twin brother, Gale, by about 40 minutes resulting in the twins being born in different years.

The twins joined their older brother, Ed, and sisters, Irene and Doris on the homestead in Terrebonne, Oregon. Dale was raised in Terrebonne and Redmond and graduated from Redmond High School in 1941. In high school, Dale and Gale were to form friendships with classmates that were to last them their entire lives. Dale joined the Aviation Cadet program in 1942, and finally was inducted in the Army Air Corps in 1943. He was a ball turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator and was stationed in Italy during the war. Dale returned to Oregon in March of 1946, and on September 4, 1946, he married Kathleen Angland.

Dale and Kathleen settled in Salem in 1947, and proceeded to raise five children. Kathleen died in 1998. Dale loved his family. Spending time with his kids, grandkids and extended family was his great delight. He was a very loyal person and enjoyed his friends as well. Many will miss his birthday cards or calls.

Dale and Gale founded what would soon become Dorn Brothers Truck and Auto in Salem in 1947. At one time they were located in Salem, Eugene, Prineville, Madras and Redmond. The business still exists in the family today.

Dale was involved in various organizations over the years. He was a past president of the Oregon Independent Automobile Dealers Association and a past president of Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was involved with the Salem Leaders, a group of young business people involved in making Salem a better place to live and do business.

Dale loved his work, buying and selling used trucks and cars. He enjoyed traveling the country buying vehicles for resale and meeting new people. He also enjoyed hunting and camping.

Dale is survived by his twin brother, Gale, his daughter, Sue (Jeff), sons, Dan (Laura), Mike (Kim), John (Debbi), his special friend, Iradell, and his grandchildren, Jacob, Katie, Riley, Kory, Cooper and Carter. His son, Steve and grandson, McKenzie preceded him in death along with his older brother and sisters.

A celebration of Dale’s life will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 10:30 am at City View Funeral Home, 390 Hoyt St. S., Salem, Oregon. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, that a donation be made to Willamette Valley Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

Dale A. Dorn