Dale King Obituary

Dale T. King died January 15, 2026 at Intermountain Health in Billings, Montana after complications from a surgery for lung cancer at age 77.

He was born in Lawrence, Kansas, to Thomas and Velma (Gosney) King. He spent the first four years living in North and South Dakota, and Wolf Point, Montana while his father worked as a technical manager for a seismic crew. In 1952 his family moved to Billings and he gained a brother, Jack E King.

Soon after his ninth birthday, his mother tragically passed away. A few months later, Dale and his younger brother had to stay with Oklahoma relatives due to their father's job transfer to El Dorado, Arkansas.

In 1958 Dale, Jack, and his father returned to Billings, Montana. Shortly after, Thomas King married Geneva Jolley. Dale gained a stepbrother, Joe, and a stepsister, Candy.

Dale attended most of his school years in Billings and graduated in 1966 from Billings West High. During his senior year, Dale joined the naval reserve at the urging of his dad, a WW II Navy veteran. After high school graduation, he went to boot camp at age 17. He only spent one year at the University of Montana when he was called to his two-year active commitment in the Navy. He actually spent his 19th birthday off the coast of Vietnam. After an honorable discharge (knee injury), he stayed in California, where he met Diana Donato. They married in 1969. They had two children. Denise and Thomas. They resided for most of their marriage in Billings. They divorced in 1992.

In 1969, Dale attended Eastern Montana College (MSU B today) for one year. Then moved to Bozeman to follow in his father's footsteps. He majored in geology at MSU with an emphasis on petroleum. After graduation, the oil and gas industry was in decline. Dale earned the needed credits to get his teaching degree from Rocky Mountain College. This allowed him to be an educator for the Lockwood School District. As well as a boys and girls basketball coach. Dale also did Geology consulting during his free time and on weekends. Even though Dale was a gifted educator and enjoyed working with children, he ended his teaching profession after two years and went to work full-time as a geophysicist/petroleum geologist as the oil and gas industry began to boom. For the next 35 years, Dale was a successful and respected geophysicist/petroleum geologist. He worked for numerous large and small companies. His longest tenure was with the Montana Power Company. He started in their Billings office in 1982 and worked there until 1991. He was then transferred to their Butte office and resided there. When the Montana Power closed. He moved his office home and was a sought after consultant on prospective natural gas wells in northern Montana.

While in Butte, he met the special person in his life, Connie Peterson; they married in 1998. He became brother-in-law to Connie's 10 sisters and 2 brothers. He gained many nieces and nephews.

Dale and Connie had many wonderful times together. They built their dream home at Fairmont Hot Springs next to the 16th hole, on Connie's family ranch. They especially enjoyed traveling, visiting all corners of the United States. Dale retired in 2012. Dale hoped to travel with Connie,

take up fishing again, and play lots of golf. Unfortunately, physical problems prevented this. Luckily, he enjoyed occasional social rounds of golf with his golf buddies (you know who you are). He eventually learned to "kill time" by reading, watching movies, and lots of sports on TV GO Lakers, Broncos, Dodgers, Oklahoma Sooners, and Montana State Bobcats.

During Dale's life, he enjoyed fishing and hunting with his father, who was also his best friend. His best memories were summers spent on his Uncle Wayne's and Aunt Ila's farm in Oklahoma. Eating home-cooked meals, fishing, bird hunting, and enjoying his cousins.

He was an avid reader and golfer. He also loved playing baseball and even played some Legion ball.

Dale had an enormous tender spot in his heart for animals and children. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him immense joy, and he loved the time he spent with them to the fullest. Whether it was fishing at the pond, watching game shows in the evenings, golf ball hunting, putting on cash egg hunts, "pretend" trick-or-treating, or just holding hands and watching cartoons or ball games. These were the moments he cherished most. Grandpa King always supported their various fundraisers, sports, camps, and any other activities they were involved in.

He made sure his children and grandkids were always taken care of. He will be greatly missed by us all.

Dale is survived by the love of his life, Connie. Daughter Denise Mager (John), and her children Autumn Wildung (Seth), Amery, Amara, and Asher. Angela Allen (Aaron), Colter, Dakota, Lila, and Halley. Austin Muller and Miah Mager. Son Tom (Misty) and their children Thomas, Jessica (Dante), and Taylor. Brother Jack (Susan), their children Kevin, Bryan, Casey, Erin, and their families. Nieces Kim Jolley Mjelde, Karin Jolley Kusmaul, Janet Jolley Harris,and Serena Jolley Jackson. Plus beloved cousins on his mother's side and too many in-laws to mention.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Velma . Stepmother Geneva, stepbrother Joe (Pete) Jolley, father-in-law Bill Peterson, brother-in-law Jay Peterson, his special Uncle Wayne and Aunt Ila Gosney (Dale's Oklahoma mother), and special cousin Lesa Janzen.

Donations may be sent to Butte Food Bank, 1019 E. Second St., Butte, MT 59701 or Pintler Pets, P.O. Box 1204, Anaconda, MT 59711.

A celebration of life will be held in Butte this summer. Dale wanted to be buried next to his mother and father in Oklahoma. That will take place this fall.