Dale L. Cox, 82, of Swedesburg, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
He was born on February 14, 1944. Dale grew up on a farm in Abingdon, Iowa, the eldest son of Richard O. and Marian E. Cox, along with his sister, Mary and two brothers David and John. He attended Jefferson County Rural #5 school through 8th grade and Packwood High School ninth through eleventh. In May of 1962, he was part of the first graduating class of the newly formed Pekin High School. Following graduation he attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (Truman University) receiving both his BA and MA in business education. In the summer of 1966, he began his first teaching position at WACO Community Schools and remained there until his retirement 33 years later.
Dale served as a Wayne Township Trustee and on the Henry County Board of Adjustment, as well as several committees with the WACO Community Teachers Association. He was a member of the Trenton Missionary Church serving as Church Board Chairman, a Trustee for a number of years, and he enjoyed teaching adult Sunday school classes.
Dale and Eunice Ogden met at college in Kirksville, Missouri and were married on June 3, 1967. During their 59 years of marriage, they were able to travel throughout the United States and Canada enjoying many interesting experiences. After retirement they spent several winters in Alamo, Texas where they made many friends. During Dale’s retirement, he was able to enjoy his love of farming by helping a close friend with fall field work.
Dale is survived by his wife, Eunice, his brother David (Brenda) Cox, along with nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Richard Cox, in 1974, his mother Marian Cox, in 2000, his sister, Mary Dickinson, in 2013, his brother, John Cox, in 2014 and a brother-in-law, Richard Dickinson, in 2022.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Trenton Missionary Church with Pastor Dave Forrester officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery in Mount Pleasant. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. Memorials may be directed to the Trenton Missionary Church or to Sunrise Terrace Care Center in his memory.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Dale.