Shortly after Dallas was born in Kitimat, B.C., his family moved to Quesnel. When he was 5 years old they moved to Switzerland for one year and Dallas spent his first year of school there. Back in Canada he attended Richbar and West Fraser Elementary schools. When he graduated from Correlieu, he escorted his grad date to the ceremonies in a John Deere tractor.
After high school he worked a year in Vancouver and his cousin Conrad tells a funny story about how Dallas got a job doing carpentry work, telling his boss he had experience. He then rushed out and bought all new tools and tool belt and showed up for work the next day. His boss looks at all his new tools and belt and said to him, “You’re not a carpenter, are you?” Dallas confessed, but the guy hired him just the same. Dallas enjoyed his year in Vancouver with his cousin Conrad but decided to go back to school at UNBC.
Dallas was in his fourth year of Commerce with a major in Business at UNBC and planned to continue toward a master’s degree. Somehow he seemed to manage to balance work and classes even though work was in Quesnel and classes were in Prince George.
Dallas started working at Weldwood on a weekend clean-up crew when he was 16 and continued with them in various positions until his death. Dallas appreciated the fact that the company actually encouraged and supported his education by accommodating his schedule. He continued to advance and looked forward to climbing the corporate ladder.
Family was important to Dallas and he loved coming from a large family. We are grateful that earlier this summer Dallas was here for his sister Hayley’s wedding and that very many family members and friends were able to attend. Dallas was co-Master of Ceremonies and did a great job and had fun doing it. He did say that when he gets married he wanted to do his reception with tents at the ranch, the same as Hayleys. We believe that Dallas was looking for the right girl to share his life and was ready to settle into married life and have his own family.
On more than one occasion Dallas would see a pretty girl that caught his eye so he’d phone and tell us he’s just seen his future wife and the mother of our grandchildren. When we asked what her name was, he’d confess that he hadn’t met her yet so we’d suggest he call us back after he’d actually met her. He certainly never lacked confidence.
Second to none, Dallas had a lust for life. He brought an energy into any room he entered.
Dallas lived:
with faith.
with courage.
with confidence.
with honesty.
with boundless energy.
with enthusiasm.
with generosity.
with humour.
with optimism.
with kindness.
with many friends.
Dallas fell asleep in our Lord Jesus early on the morning of September 3, 2006 during a motor vehicle accident near Dunkley Lumber.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
And young men stumble an fall;
But those who hope in the Lord
Will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40: 30 & 31
As well as countless friends, Dallas leaves behind his parents: Bruce & Kristine Ernst (Quesnel and George & Regula Faeh (Switzerland), siblings: Hayley & Greg Russell (Quesnel), Graham Ernst & Tara (Calgary), Jesse Faeh (Quesnel), Brice Ernst (Calgary) and Noelle Ernst (Quesnel), grandmothers: Ethel Petersen (Quesnel), Margrit Faeh (Switzerland) and Greta Ernst (Quesnel), uncles and aunts; Mel Petersen & Grace Martins (Quesnel), Fred & Kathryn Row (Powell River), George & Janine Petersen (Australia), Doug & Frances Petersen (Kitimat), Graham Petersen & Lucy Bell (Vancouver), Marcel & Gisela Faeh (Switzerland), Paulette Ernst & Doug Baird (Fort St. James), Bob & Cheryl Jefferson (Quesnel), Leslie Ernst (Quesnel), Hiroaki Takashiba & Kirsten Ernst (Vancouver), Mike & Kate Heller (Vancouver) as well as very many cousins and 2nd cousins.
Dallas was predeceased by his grandfathers Clarence Petersen & George Faeh.
Dallas’s 27 year long life could not have been any fuller. You might have said about him that he lived every day like it was his last. We are so happy that he lived long enough to show just how exceptional he really was, he just didn’t live long enough for us. The joy he gave us by just being who he was is our special gift from him. We will miss him. His brother Jesse says that his first son’s name will be Dallas so there will be another Dallas Faeh for this world to contend with.