Arthur "Gene" Eugene Dale

Arthur "Gene" Eugene Dale, 76, of Jackson, passed away January 19, 2025, at the Jackson Manor in Jackson. The youngest of seven children, he was born in Advance on November 22, 1948, to William Lester and Parlie L. Rhodes Dale. Gene was a 1966 graduate of Cape Central High school. He worked his whole life as a car mechanic, mostly at Weiser Honda Mazda in Cape. Beyond being able to fix anything, Gene was a long-time Bass fisherman, winning many tournaments and awards as a member of the local B.A.S.S. club. Later in life he got into dirt track racing as a mechanic for a couple local race teams and loved the competition. Not everyone knew Gene as a writer. He often wrote poetry or touching notes for those closest to him on scraps of paper or old work timecards. Though tough on the outside, deep down he was a sentimentalist and loved his family and friends deeply and was able to express himself in writing like few can. Most men are not as blessed as Gene was. He had the great fortune to love and have the love of two wonderful women. He and Gale Ann Peetz were married for 28 years, from November 23, 1968, until her passing on March 15, 1997, and they had two children, Stephen and Kathy. He met Judy Kraemer, and they married on June 13, 1998, joyfully welcoming her daughter Vicki into their family. Judy devoted a decade to caring for him at home after his stroke, and both Stephen and Kathy deeply admired her selflessness and dedication. Loving survivors include his wife of 26 years, Judy Dale of Jackson; children, Stephen Dale of West Chester, Ohio and his children, Thomas and Clara of Liberty Township, Ohio; Kathy Cassout of Scott City and her children, Nicholas of Columbia and Claudia of Scott City, Vicki (Rick) Ruebel of Las Vegas and their children, Hannah and Jacob. Gene is preceded in death by his first wife, Gale Dale, parents and six siblings. The memorial visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The memorial service will be at 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Barry Pfanstiel officiating. Interment will follow at Eisleben Lutheran Church Cemetery in Scott City. The family suggests that contributions be made to Eisleben Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Gene's obituary at mccombsfuneralhome.com.