Keith and Keith Funeral Home

     Harold Eaton Dexter was born on September 21, 1928 to Paul Clarence Dexter and Leta Elva Eaton in Yakima, WA. He joined his Lord and Savior peacefully surrounded by his family, in Yakima, WA on Friday, February 10, 2023. Harold had four sisters- Lucille, Barbara, Maxine, and Shirley. They were raised in a home built by their father and taught the Christian Faith. Harold graduated from Yakima Senior High school, now known as Davis High School. He had a love for music and sang in the choir as a tenor. He attended Yakima Valley College and Washington State College, now known as Washington State University.

     In 1950 he joined the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War as a radio communications operator with specialized training in Morse code. He developed a system of keeping records which was adopted and used by the military. Corporal Dexter and the men he served with were the first flight platoon to wear the new blue Air Force uniforms. They were known as the original Dit Dot-it boys. Harold went on to earn his Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Service Ribbons before his honorable discharge in 1954. Harold’s proudest moment was becoming a father to his three children Michael Paul, Dwight Austin, and Katherine Ida. He raised them on property where they could run free in the pasture, pond, and fruit trees. The kids would be so far away that he developed a unique whistle to call them back home for supper. Throughout their childhood he took each one of his kids on a special one on one camping trip. He loved his children very much.

     Over the years Harold worked as a manager at Logan’s feed store in Toppenish, employee at Boise Cascade, and as a door to door Fuller Brush salesman. After being a door to door salesman for 15 years, he developed his dream business owning his own janitorial company cleaning carpets and windows for local businesses. Harold was a kind, humble, and jolly man. He was a man on a mission for God, spreading God’s word wherever he went. He spent his free time volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission, Camp Prime Time, Habitat for Humanity, and served with the Gideons. Through Gideon’s he handed out bibles across town and kept hotel rooms stocked with bibles for over 30 years. He was an active member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church where he was in the choir and once served as Sunday School Superintendent.

One of Harold’s favorite pastimes was being outdoors. He loved to go fishing, boating, and hiking. He was a member of the Cascadians Outdoor Recreation Club, where he met the love of his life, Nancy. They spent the next 32 years sharing great memories and vacationing to their favorite destinations including Lake Chelan, Mt St Helens, and the Grand Canyon. Harold always had a joke to tell, story to share, or song to sing. He was full of joy and had a heart of gold. His laugh and love for life was contagious. He is survived by his devoted wife Nancy, children Mickey (wife Judy), Austin (wife Barbara), and Kathy (husband Jody), his 14 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and church fellowship. There will be a viewing held at Keith and Keith Funeral Home 902 W Yakima Ave Yakima, WA on Friday February 17, 2023 from 4-8pm. The service honoring his life will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church 7809 Tieton Drive Yakima, WA on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:00 am. Flowers may be sent in his honor to Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

For those who would like to make a memorial contribution to the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society in Harold's name, you can do so by mailing a donation directly to the library, make a donation in person at the library or you can make a donation through paypal located here.