Dallas’s favorite color was red. He was super easygoing and always had a smile on his face.
In the 90’s, my sister Terri and her family lived in Kula, Maui. During the colder months, it would get pretty chilly in Kula, but even as a little kid Dallas wore shorts, a t-shirt or tank top while the rest of us were bundled up.
He did chores from an early age and was always a hard worker growing up. Whenever asked to handle extra tasks around the house, he would do so right away without complaining.
I remember stopping by my parents’ shop one day while he and my mom were outside. Dallas was maybe three years old, and he yelled, “Aunty Lena!” and ran over to me and hugged my legs. I think that was a regular thing when Dave and I stopped by to visit, but for some reason I remember this one specific time.
When I worked at Maui Electric Company, I would go to my parents shop in the Wailuku Industrial Park Monday through Friday for my lunch break. After a quick lunch, I’d take him up to the loft above the workshop and read him a book before his nap. He usually picked the same book again and again and again and again. I must’ve read, “Are You My Mother?” a thousand times.
After my sister and her family moved to Washington, Sierra, my mom, and I would fly up to visit. On one visit, there was a huge summer company picnic. Dallas asked me to run the potato sack race with him. We got our teamwork strategy down and won! 💪🏼 Even if we had come in last place, I know he would still have had a smile on his face.
He was athletic and played a few different sports, but his primary sport was soccer. He was number 11; the same number Sierra had for many years. We watched his games when we visited the family in Washington, and he also watched a couple of Sierra’s soccer games when on Maui or when she traveled with different teams to play in WA. He was a great player and super aggressive on the field, but when the game was over, he could turn the fierceness off and be his relaxed and smiley self again.
Dallas and my mom, his Grams, were super close. She’s a big sports fan and always enjoyed watching him play. They also shared a passion for reading and would often hang out and just read their own books together for hours.
During his last days, my mom flew to Washington to spend some time with him and to say her goodbyes. We believe that Dallas waited for his Grams to visit him and once he knew that she was at peace with him having to move on, he was ready to do so.
Dallas passed away at 5:30am on May 12, 2024, Mother’s Day.
Dallas told me a few years ago that one of his childhood memories that stands out was when he was home in Maui for a visit and his Uncle Dave took him snorkeling in Kihei. Dallas was maybe 9 or 10 years old. I remember that day and I’m glad Dallas remembered it too. I’m hoping Dave was there to meet Dallas when he moved on. They get to hang out together again, whether it be to snorkel, wrestle, ride a Harley or just hang out.
Dallas, I will miss you, your smile, your competitive, but easy going nature. I will cherish all the memories of spending time with you. Say hi to Uncle Dave for Sierra and me. We will miss you both very much, but are happy you are at peace and get to hang out together.
Sharing more pics of Dallas with family.
