He was born on Feb. 15, 1927, in Oswego to Tom and Ethel (Meadows) Back. He attended area schools and graduated from Cherokee County Community High School with the class of 1944.
In May 1944, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and was honorably discharged in May 1945. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from May 1945 until October 1946.
On Feb. 22, 1945, he married Mardeen Elliott in Miami, Okla. She survives him of the home.
Dale was a machinist by trade and worked for Vickers in Joplin, RGS Engineering in Joplin, Ace Electric in Columbus and the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons.
He was a member of Center Christian Church of Columbus.
Additional survivors include two sons, Gregg Back and his wife, Jan, of Oswego and Stephen Back and his wife, Angie, of Pittsburg; a daughter, Cathy Craig of Frontenac; three brothers, Dean Back of Austin, Texas, Ernest Back of Salem, Ore., and Stanley Back of Albuquerque, N.M.; nine grandchildren, Shawn Craig of Joplin, Bryan Back of Oswego, Matthew Back of Joplin, Jordan Back of Oswego, Tom Back of Springfield, Mo., Tanner Back of Pittsburg, Carrie Back of Texas, Jordan Redd of Pittsburg and Britney Redd of Emporia; and five great-grandchildren, Duncan Craig and Jack Craig, both of Joplin, Owyn Back and Gwyn Back, both of Oswego, and Keegan Back of Springfield, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bobby Dale Back; a brother, Max Back; and a sister, Wilma Orr.
The service will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Columbus with the Rev. Tom Goettel officiating. There will be a private burial in Park Cemetery at a later date.
Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.
Memorials may be made to Center Christian Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 611 S. East Ave., Columbus, 66725.
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