Dallas Dale Whiting, Sr., 80, of Mitchell, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. A memorial service will be held at Central Church of Christ in Gering, NE on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Lyle Hinebauch presiding.
Live streaming can be viewed at http://www.geringcentralchurch.org/. A burial service will be held at Westlawn Cemetery in Gering, NE, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent directly to the family. Online condolences may be made by viewing Dallas’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Dallas Dale Whiting, Sr., born on April 26, 1943, in Alliance, NE, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the age of 80 years old. He was the son of Walter Henry Whiting and Helen Mae (Swayze) Miner.
Dallas grew up in Helena, MT, graduating from Helena High School in 1961. As a student, he had a passion for playing the tuba and harbored dreams of joining the Air Force band. His interests also included hunting, fishing, racing stock cars and motorcycles. In July of 1970, at the Alliance Stock Car Track, Dallas, along with his son Dallas, Jr., had their first date with his soon-to-be bride, Lucille. On June 13, 1971, Dallas married the love of his life, Lucille (Dahlgren), at Zion Lutheran in Hay Springs, NE. Their union was blessed with three additional children. During his lifetime, Dallas worked in a variety of professions. While living in Montana, he worked for the state as a conservationist measuring stream flow, helped his dad dig graves for the local cemetery and was a concrete truck driver. When he moved to Nebraska in 1970, he had many jobs which allowed his love of people and outgoing personality to shine. Some of the jobs he held were delivering milk for Gillette Dairy, selling cars for Dalton’s/Reganis Auto Dealership, being a news broadcaster on KNEB radio and working for Ledbetters/Cash-Wa. What he is probably best known for is being the owner and promoter of Oregon Trail Speedway from 1991-2004. The passion he had for all things stock cars culminated with this one purchase. He was able to provide a place for all levels of drivers to be successful, share his infinite knowledge of cars with others, watch his sons race and ultimately, promote the sport of stock car racing to the Panhandle of Nebraska. Throughout the years, Dallas was involved in various car clubs, including the REACT CB Radio Club, Toastmasters, Alliance Stock Car Club, Platte Valley Stock Car Club, Western Wheels Studebaker Club, and most recently, a board member for the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He enjoyed working with the youth as a football and basketball referee, influencing the next generation by being a Boy Scout leader, as well as helping the community by being a volunteer firefighter for the cities of Cozad and Scottsbluff.
Dallas was known for his selflessness, acting as a father figure to many and opening his home to those in need of both guidance and a place to live. He was a fixture in the lives and activities of both his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed talking with all of his kids on the phone and giving his undivided attention to anyone he was visiting with. Some of his favorite activities were square dancing, competing in horseshoe tournaments, and playing card games such as Cribbage and Pitch. His orneriness, sarcasm, jokes, uncanny ability to watch NASCAR races with his eyes closed, and famous one-liners were matched only by his infectious smile and belly laughs.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille Ann (Dahlgren); sons, Dallas Whiting, Jr. and wife Brenda of Dillan, MT; Jeff Whiting of Gothenburg, NE; Jared Whiting and wife Karen of Mitchell, NE; and daughter, Monica Noel and husband Reg of Shickley, NE. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Zach Gray (Jude & Summer) of Lincoln, NE; Dylan Whiting of Lincoln, NE; Kim Jorgenson and husband Alex (Bowe) of Gothenburg, NE; AJ and wife Dallin of Oklahoma City, OK; Tyler Whiting of Phoenix, AZ; Kaylee, Eli, and Brady Noel of Shickley, NE; and Alex, Noah, and Isaac Whiting of Mitchell, NE. Siblings include Wayne Whiting of Winston-Salem, NC and Wilma Jean Stacy of Asheville, NC. In-laws include Alberta and French Olson of Hay Springs, NE; Jerry and Cathy Dahlgren of Hay Springs, NE; and Elaine and John Bassett of Parker, CO. As well as many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends. Dallas was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Whiting and Helen Miner, and in-laws, Howard and Alvina Dahlgren.