Jack Dale

In Celebration of the Life of Jack Dale August 11, 1932 – December 7, 2024

Jacky Michael Dale, affectionately known as Jack, was born on August 11, 1932, in Onawa, Iowa, to Cecile Dale and Violet Ferding Dale. The eldest of five children, Jack spent his early years in Onawa, where he was raised by his grandmother.

Jack was a hardworking and loyal man, dedicating his professional life to the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. A devoted father, he raised five children—Mike, Colleen, Ron, Jane, and Jackie—and was immensely proud of his growing family, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom reside in Iowa.

After retiring from the railroad, Jack became an active member and custodian of the First Christian Church in Red Oak, Iowa, a role he embraced wholeheartedly. During this time, in nearby Council Bluffs, Jack met the love of his life, Faye Wills. The two married on April 26, 1997, and built a life of love, companionship, and shared values. In 2013, Jack and Faye moved to Grapevine, Texas, where they joined the First Baptist Church.

Jack had a remarkable ability to find joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved watching Westerns on television, often with his beloved dogs by his side. A dedicated coffee drinker, Jack had a fondness for Folger’s coffee, enjoying several cups daily. His sweet tooth led him to a particular love for chocolates and ice cream, especially Edy’s Pie, a treat invented in his hometown of Onawa.

Jack was an outdoorsman at heart, and he cherished feeding squirrels and birds and found peace in nature’s quiet moments. His creativity and craftsmanship were evident in the birdhouses he skillfully built and shared with family and friends. Jack and Faye also shared a deep love of music, often listening to their favorite hymns, including How Great Thou Art, I Can Only Imagine, and Amazing Grace.

In his later years, Jack became a resident of Grapevine Manor, where he adjusted to life as a wheelchair user. Ever sociable, he used this as an opportunity to connect with others, brightening the days of his fellow residents with his humor.

Throughout his life, Jack remained a faithful Christian, a devoted husband, and a loving family man. He exemplified kindness, humility, and faith, leaving a legacy rooted in love and simplicity.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Bonnie, and his brother Tom. He is survived by his beloved wife, Faye Dale; his children: Mike Dale, Colleen Sainton, Ron Dale, Jane Sirlion, and Jackie Cook (Jimmy); and Faye’s children: Susan Fox, Diana Wills Kohlscheen (Jerry), Tracy Wills, David Wills, Stan Wills Jr., Steve Wills (Lisa Whitsett), and Candice Wills Rounds (Johnny). Jack also leaves behind special friends, Larry and Georgia Sutton, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jack will forever be remembered for his love of family, his unwavering faith, and his ability to find beauty and joy in the smallest moments, a lesson for us all. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.