Dallas occupies some of my earliest memories. My father William Hiatt came to Colorado in 1947 and encouraged his brothers Dallas and Jim to follow. Dallas initially settle in Durango, favoring a clean mountain environment to raise his family. While there we visited and in particular decided to do a camping trip. We took the narrow gauge steam railroad that ran between Durango and Silverton and got dropped off at Needleton. From there we climbed into Chicago basin under Windom, Sunlight and Eolus which are three 14,000 foot peaks. Today this is a very popular place and you almost need a reservation to camp but back then we were the only people in the basin. We ate C-rations and had a terrific time with lots of fishing of course. The ride back on the train I stood in an open car and got really dirty from all the soot. When Dallas and family moved to Evergreen we had great reunions, the extended family was quite large at the time. And of course whenever we got together it included lots of outdoors time. He was a terrific uncle and will be greatly missed. William Hiatt

My Grandpa was not just the best Grandpa anyone could ask for. He was also one of the best men I’ve ever known. He could have easily treated his grandchildren like many grandparents and said to himself “I’ve already raised my own kids, I don’t need to raise any more.” He could have just spoiled us (which he did), but he didn’t. He taught us respect and honor, kindness and humor, and also what a hard day’s work meant. At the end of a day working with him in the garden or on the orchard, he would always hand me a quarter and ask me if that was enough. He’d see the look in my eye and the nod of my head, and then he’d pay me what I’d really earned. He always got a giggle out of that one. I loved those days of hard work; learning how to build, dig, sweat, create.  But these were not the only things he taught us. There were so many other things. Too many to count. In my early years, I thought he was pretty tough, and it wasn't until I got older that I realized he was the kindest soul you could ever meet. It was out of love that he took the time to educate us and teach us the value of love and respect, not only for family, but for everyone.
His love of family cannot be overstated. Our family had a special treat one winter when Grandma and Grandpa put us up (all six of us) while we finished building a house of our own. God only knows what they were thinking, but they did it out of love for family and we were lucky to have that experience. Little Lizzie and Scotty looked forward to every tractor ride from Grandpa, and every homemade cookie from Grandma. They were always so happy to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa, and they were always willing to shower them with love.

 Because of Grandpa I know how to fish, camp, plant a garden, drive a tractor, split wood, enjoy a Sunday watching football, grill a steak, make fresh cider from apples grown in your own backyard, love my family, say please and thank you, and stay strong in a crisis no matter how difficult it is. This last one was the last lesson he taught me and, in my opinion, the most important. He did it throughout his life. All the way to the end. For that Grandpa, I cannot thank you enough. We will love you forever. Josh

Dallas was a very special dad. He raised the four of us (Linda, Judy, Barry and Mary Louise) in Durango in such a way that we hardly felt the consequences of an unstable mother. We camped, fished and learned to love the out-of-doors. A sudden father to seven (us and stepsons David, Jon and Kevin), he raised us by the only way he know – the military model. Perhaps our most vivid memories were had on family vacations. Dad chose trips to teach us history and geography, like to Lincoln’s birthplace, Civil War battlefields and Williamsburg. But we came home remembering the silliest things: Dixie cups in a restroom, arguing over how big the moon was and marveling at how nine of us could fit in a 15-foot travel trailer and laugh about it for years. He was the most honest person I have known, and set a high standard for all of us to live by. He was also fair and his legacy is a blended family of children/grandchildren who treated him with the same love and respect through his aging with Parkinson’s that he gave to us. Judy Hiatt

After almost a week of hospital visits to say our goodbyes, Grandpa has let go this morning. He was a great man, always kind, generous and joyful, a great dad, grandpa and husband and fisherman, of course. He was a hard worker and so many other things. He fought for our country, gave to the needy, and he always wanted to do the right thing. We will miss him, but we are happy to say he is not longer suffering and is home with the Lord. Granddaughter Heather

Our father, Dallas, passed on a most perfect day of the year in October-- no cloud in the sky and brilliant gold leaves; it was a day of stillness following a raucous windstorm, so I will always have wonderful memories of him whenever we have this type of still, fall Colorado day, whenever I see an American flag, whenever I eat the salty-sweet Cracker Jacks at a baseball game, whenever I have pie or a root beer float, and, most of all, whenever I look into my Son's and my granddaughters' eyes. He was such a "gentle spirit" as my brother said, and he managed to get so much from each of us by saying so little. You now live safely in the heaven of our hearts, Pa, and all your battles. both in war and against disease, are over.. Daughter Linda

Dear Family,I just wanted to let you know that our father, Dallas Hiatt, passed today. Dallas was an exceptional man and a great dad and many of you knew him. When you lose someone so special and close, it makes you realize your own mortality and how important it is to be a caring, loving friend and person, lessons that Dallas taught all his children. Daughter Mary

Dear Family, I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your father. I know he was a wonderful father to all of you, and, trust me, he will never be out of your lives. As a small child, my "Granddad Hiatt" always told me stories about my older brothers and I must have been about six years old when I had my first memory of my brother Dallas. He was the most handsome Marine and I knnew he was a special person just the way my dad and granddad looked at him with pride But with me he seemed to have a wonderful sense of humor and I just loved him. Please give Charlotte a hug from me and know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. Tonght when I look up to heaven, there will be a new star with a very special twinkle. Aunt Mary

This drawing tribute is from Isabella Hiatt great-granddaughter age 5yrs

Dallas has been my war hero since I met him some 24 years ago. One has only to read about the history ot the three Pacific battles he participated in to get an idea of what a true hero he was to his country and to everyone who knew him. From the battle of Tarawa where the Marines were met with a greater than anticipated resistance, to the battle for Saipan where the enemy, commited to fighting to the last soldier, engaged in suicide attacks, the second Marine Division fought on. Dallas's Marine Division then went on to the battle for Tianan only two weeks later. On most Veterans' Day celebrations I would either see Dallas or call him to thank him for his service; he would always graciously thank me for my service as well. Son- in-Law Lew

Oh, Linda, it is with tears in my eyes and heavy sadness in my chest that I write to you. Truly, your dad was amazing in various ways. He was a great grandfather and mentor to Stefan and a friend and guiding, supportive father to you. In turn, the way his family supported him in the journey he took with his Parkinson's disease was nothing short of inspirational. Truly, your friend, Jan

I liked talking to Dallas about baseball and mid-western/western “sensibilities”. Even in later years, I still noticed a twinkle in his eyes which reminded me of my dad. Peace to you, Dallas Hiatt. God Bless. Doug and Lana

Facing a parent's loss is always painful--so much of who we are has been shaped by their every word and deed. Oh, I suppose you wouldn't be you at all without him--not just physically, but in every way at your core. No wonder we call ourselves into question at times like these...I know you are proud of the life your dad lived.... Nancy

Dear Family, I was so sorry to hear about your Dad.  I did want you and your siblings to know that I understand you are going through a hard time. I can't believe it has been almost 20 years since Dad died and Mom 10 years. It is a lonely feeling. I so enjoyed reading your Dad's history and the pictures were great, especially when Dallas was a young man. He was quite a guy.Take care and all my love to you and the rest of the Hiatt cousins. Niece Valerie

Deda and I want you to know that you are in our thoughts and hearts. Losing a parent, even one who has had a long and full life is hard. One of my heroes is Abraham Lincoln who once said: "Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow. "I didn't know Dallas well, but it seems to me that this quote describes the Dallas I met.  Sam and Deda

Dallas was a good man. Brave, frugal and the same time-generous. We will miss him. We hope to follow his great example in our lives. Melvin and Bobbie