February 21, 1953 – March 25, 2025

Dale Johnson—dad, friend, entrepreneur, and Steamboat fixture, —has left this world, and man, it hurts without him!

He was a guy who poured himself into everything he touched, from family and business to baking, tomatoes to trading, music to mutts—and he always did it with passion, curiosity, and heart.

When Dale moved to Steamboat Springs, he didn’t just plant roots. He built something. Yampa Valley Sound became a piece of the community because Dale made it so. But the real legacy he leaves behind isn’t a business—it’s the way he lived: all-in, every time.

He had an unmatched ability to throw himself into whatever caught his interest—wine, gardening, stock markets, sourdough, you name it. He believed anything worth doing is worth doing right and filled his life with projects and passions.

He didn’t half-love anything —his family, his dogs, his music, or a well-aged bottle of wine. He was steady, confident, and deeply committed to the people and things he cared about.

As his daughters—Melissa Mickelson, Jessica Stellwagen, and Kim Blanton—have shared the news with Steamboat friends, the outpouring of memories from the community has been emotional. The kind words, the stories, the laughter—it’s reminded them that growing up in Steamboat meant being raised not just by their parents, but by a community of parents. Dale was one of those people for a lot of his daughters’ friends. He didn’t just raise his girls—he helped shape a whole generation of Steamboat kids who are now thriving and have families of their own.

Losing a dad is brutal. Nothing prepares you for the earth-shaking, knee-bending grief that comes when you realize you will never again hear their voice, feel their hug, or share in the rituals that shaped your life.

Remember: Life is short, and so often, we let silly things get in the way—grudges, misunderstandings, pride, busyness. Then suddenly, someone’s gone, and all the petty stuff disappears in an instant. You’d give anything to hear their voice again, to laugh at the things that used to drive you crazy, to celebrate the weird, beautiful differences that made your relationship yours.

So love your people—hard. Tell them. Show them. Don’t assume they know. Celebrate the big stuff, the small stuff, and even the stuff that makes you roll your eyes. One day, those will be the things you miss most.

We love and miss you endlessly Daddy Dale!