The good Lord came on a paint horse named “Buddy” and carried Dana Lin Columbia, age 84, to heaven from his earthly home on Feb. 25, 2012.

Dana, (known as DL to most), was born on Sept. 1, 1927 on the family homestead in Canon City, Colo. to Dana Leroy and Stella Perkins Columbia.

DL wore many hats in his lifetime. He found passion in everything he did, whether as a bull rider, saddle bronc rider, logger, rancher, bus driver, truck driver, mechanic, millwright, heavy equipment operator, drug and alcohol counselor, courier, sheep farmer or anything else he set his mind to. It is really hard to know which he enjoyed the most, as he wore every hat well and took pleasure in them all. As a World War II Veteran, he served with pride overseas with the Army Air Corp.

DL, a recovering alcoholic, dedicated the last 34 years of his life to helping others achieve sobriety. He was always there for others in their time of need. It did not matter what time of the day or night it was.

Family was very important to DL. Being surrounded by his kids and grand kids gave him his greatest joy as a parent. A family function, with the house packed full, was a perfect setting for him to display his unique sense of humor. Some called it corny, but all loved and appreciated it.

DL moved to Washington in 1975 to work on the Knorr ranch in Loomis. Later he drove truck long haul for 15 years, which he enjoyed immensely. Driving the big rig allowed him to travel across the country, making new friends, renewing old friendships, and strengthening family ties. He loved the open road and when he returned home always had great stories to tell. If you wanted to go somewhere, you just had to ask him and he could tell you what route to take, what mile marker to turn at, what obstacles to avoid, which route had the most beautiful countryside and the best truck stops.

After retiring from driving he decided to raise sheep. His sheep farming days started with three of his granddaughters taking lambs to the fair. He jumped in with both feet and started raising sheep. Within a few years his hard work was evident by the number of Grand Champion and Reserve Champion market lambs that came from his flock, a source of great pride to him.

DL is survived by his wife of 55 years, Georgia at home in Oroville; two brothers: Don Columbia of Tabernash, Colo. and Bob Columbia of Charlotte, Mich.; six children: Jackie (Butch) Pryor and Georgia (Danny) Nelson, of Oroville, Stella Columbia, of Loomis, Lyle (Gina) Columbia, of Pullman, Wash., Diana Porsch, and Loyal Columbia both of Ridgecrest, Calif. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren: Tom, Tony, Tim, Erin, Dawndi, Amber, Vinnie, Dana, Cody, Carson, Terry, Marchand, Hayley, Tamara, April, Jason, Jeremy, Johnny, Shawnalee, and Ryan;16 great-grandchildren: Alex, Jacob, Cian, Arya, Lucy, Kyson, Ashley, Charlie, AJ, Darrell, Wyatt, Summer, Sandralyn, Derek, Dylan, Dominic and Dallas; and one great-great-grandchild, Isaac; numerous nieces and nephews; and many, many friends whom he considered family.

DL was preceded in death by his mother and father; sisters Irla, Darlene and Deloris; a brother, George and daughter, Sandy.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, father-in-law, uncle and friend that will be greatly missed by all, but we know he has gone to the great roundup yonder.

Memorial services are tentatively set to be held in early summer at Loomis, Wash. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Veterans’ organization of your choice, Alcoholics Anonymous or the Okanogan County Fair Sheep Barn.