Buford “Dale” Crowley, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, at the age of 89 years, after a brief illness.

Born the first of four children, to Buford and Devota (Gregory) Crowley in Atlanta, Kansas, on November 10, 1936. Dale spent his youth on the family farm. He graduated from Atlanta High School in 1954, excelling in basketball.

Dale worked for City Service, then as a mechanic in the years that followed, before settling in the aircraft industry, retiring as a Quality Control Inspector at Cessna Aircraft. He enjoyed telling stories of all the famous people he met, introducing them to the newest aircraft on the production line.

Dale married Marilyn Swaim on June 7, 1958, and they made their home in Winfield. In April 1960, they welcomed their beloved daughter, Debra Kaye, to the family.

Dale was an avid outdoorsman. He loved bird hunting alongside his best birddogs and was nicknamed “Dead Eye” by his hunting buddies. He would meet up with his mates at Table Rock Lake for annual bass fishing tournaments, and that group always referred to him as “Mr. Carp”.

Dale had many talents and skills and was always in demand for his expertise with engine overhaul, plumbing, electrical, and home repairs. He enjoyed teaching others his “tricks of the trade”.

Most of all, Dale loved and was very proud of his family. He was smitten with his grandchildren and great-grands, who each had their own way of getting grandpa tickled enough to spit tobacco on his shirt. He loved attending the County Fair, watching his great-granddaughters show off their livestock and 4-H projects; always making sure they got “what he believed” they deserved in the auctions, once paying $300 for his great-granddaughter’s homemade cherry pie!

To celebrate his life and carry his memory, Dale is survived by his daughter Debra (Pete) Schrag, grandchildren: Mallory (Darrin) Capps, Cameron (Kali) Vickery, Emma (Drew) Culbertson, Shane Schrag, Kirsten (Roberto) dosSantos, and Abby (Jason) Niles, his nine great-grandchildren, his little sisters: Janiece Camp and Rogene Libby, a host of nephews and nieces, and his good friend, Barry “Bones” Patton.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marilyn of 56 years, his brother Mike, and his sweet lady friend Claudine Lundy.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Miles Funeral Service. Interment will follow at Burden Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM. The family will greet visitors from 5 to 7 that evening.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cowley County 4-H Organization. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.