Dee Brock, the founding director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, died on September 23, 2026, at the age of 96. Her death was confirmed by her family and announced by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, bringing renewed attention to the woman who helped shape one of the most recognizable cheerleading organizations in American sports.
This obituary looks at what is currently confirmed about Dee Brock’s death, her early life, education, career, family, and decades of influence on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The cause of death has not been publicly confirmed, so no unverified explanation is presented as fact.
Background: Who Was Dee Brock?
Dee Brock was an American educator and cheerleading director who became the first director of what developed into the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The organization credits her with directing the early squad and helping transform it from a traditional sideline cheer group into a more polished entertainment program.
Brock was born June 7, 1930, in Covington, Oklahoma, and later lived in Texas. She worked as an educator before and during her years with the Cowboys, and her professional career later included educational programming and television work.
Her name has become especially prominent again because the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders publicly announced her death in September 2026. The organization described her as its founding director and said it would continue to honor her legacy.
Latest Update
CBS Texas reported that Brock’s grandson Craig Brock confirmed her death on social media. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders also published a tribute identifying her as the organization’s founding director.
NBC News reported that Brock died Wednesday and noted that she retired from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in 1975. The organization later honored her with a lifetime achievement award in 2022.
Key confirmed facts: Dee Brock was 96, died September 23, 2026, founded and directed the early Dallas Cowboys cheerleading program, and retired from the director role in 1975.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
Dee Brock was born Dee Sala on June 7, 1930, in Covington, Oklahoma. Biographical records say she grew up in Wright City, Texas, and became involved in cheerleading while attending New London High School.
Her father has been identified in biographical sources as Lester Edward Sala, who worked as a union organizer at Sinclair Oil before later operating a jukebox business and drugstore. Her mother was identified as Vera Mae Bowers in biographical records.
Career Path
Brock began her professional career in education. She taught in the Dallas public school system from 1952 to 1966, including at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Her most recognizable career role began when she became involved with the Dallas Cowboys’ cheerleading program. The Cowboys’ historical record identifies Brock as the original director and says she initially worked with high school students performing traditional cheers.
As the program developed, Brock helped move the squad toward dance-based entertainment. The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys media guide records that she hired choreographer Texie Waterman and worked with Cowboys president Tex Schramm during the transformation of the cheerleading program in the early 1970s.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ official history says Brock invited local drill-team director Frances Roberson to add dance elements to the sidelines in the 1960s. The organization later developed into the modern Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Brock remained the director through 1975 before retiring from the position. Her work preceded the group’s rise into a nationally and internationally recognized sports-entertainment brand.
Age
Dee Brock was 96 years old when she died on September 23, 2026. She was born June 7, 1930.
Religion
Dee Brock’s religious affiliation has not been reliably established in the current death reports and official Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders material reviewed for this article. No particular denomination is therefore presented as confirmed.
Spouse/Partner
Brock was married to Bob Brock, a Dallas newspaper writer and television editor. Funeral records for Bob Brock identify Dee Brock as his first wife and state that they had three sons before later divorcing.
Bob Brock died in 2016. His obituary identified their sons as Baron, Bishop, and Bevin Brock.
Net Worth
Dee Brock’s net worth has not been reliably reported by the sources reviewed. Although she held several professional positions during a long career, there is no verified public financial record that supports a specific net-worth figure.
For that reason, no dollar amount is presented as her net worth.
Parents
Biographical records identify Brock’s parents as Lester Edward Sala and Vera Mae Bowers. Her father worked as a union organizer at Sinclair Oil before becoming involved in other businesses, according to biographical sources.
Height
Dee Brock’s height has not been reliably documented in the authoritative sources reviewed for this obituary. No verified measurement is available.
Education
Brock studied at the University of North Texas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in 1950 and a master’s degree in English in 1956. She later earned a doctorate from the university in 1985.
Her educational background became important to the second half of her professional career. After her years in public education and with the Dallas Cowboys, she worked in educational programming and later held senior educational positions with PBS.
Hometown/State of Origin
Dee Brock was born in Covington, Oklahoma, but biographical records say she grew up in Wright City, Texas. She later became closely associated with Texas through her teaching career, Dallas Cowboys work, and later residence in the state.
Local reporting following her death identified her as a Tyler, Texas, native or longtime Tyler resident.
Official Social Media
No verified personal social-media account for Dee Brock has been identified in the authoritative sources reviewed. The official Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders social presence did, however, publish a tribute following her death. Readers seeking confirmed updates about the organization can visit the official Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders website.
Quick Table
| Profile Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dee Brock (Dee Sala Brock) |
| Date of Birth | June 7, 1930 |
| Date of Death | September 23, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 96 |
| Birthplace | Covington, Oklahoma |
| Grew Up | Wright City, Texas |
| Known For | Founding director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders |
| Education | University of North Texas |
| Spouse | Bob Brock, later divorced |
| Children | Three sons |
| Retirement From DCC | 1975 |
| Cause of Death | Not publicly confirmed |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Who was Dee Brock?
Dee Brock was an educator and the founding director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She helped develop the Cowboys’ early cheerleading program into the dance-focused organization that became internationally recognized.
When did Dee Brock die?
Dee Brock died on September 23, 2026, at age 96. Her family and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders confirmed her death.
What was Dee Brock’s cause of death?
Her cause of death has not been publicly confirmed in the reliable reports reviewed. Claims giving a specific cause should therefore be treated as unconfirmed unless her family or another authoritative source releases that information.
How old was Dee Brock when she died?
Dee Brock was 96 years old when she died. She was born on June 7, 1930.
Was Dee Brock married?
Yes. Dee Brock was married to Bob Brock, a Dallas newspaper writer and television editor, and they later divorced. Bob Brock’s obituary states that they had three sons.
Did Dee Brock found the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders?
Yes. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders identify Brock as their original director, and the organization’s official history credits her with leading the early program.
When did Dee Brock retire from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders?
Dee Brock retired from her director role in 1975. She was later recognized by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders with a lifetime achievement award in 2022.
Where was Dee Brock born?
Dee Brock was born in Covington, Oklahoma, on June 7, 1930. Biographical records state that she grew up in Wright City, Texas.
Where did Dee Brock go to college?
She attended the University of North Texas and earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees there. Her degrees included a bachelor’s degree in 1950, a master’s degree in English in 1956, and a doctorate in 1985.
How many children did Dee Brock have?
Dee Brock and Bob Brock had three sons. Bob Brock’s published obituary identifies them as Baron Brock, Bishop Brock, and Bevin Brock.
Wrap-Up
Dee Brock died at 96 after a career that connected education, television, and professional sports entertainment. Her best-known contribution came through the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, where she served as the original director and helped guide the program through its transition into a more elaborate dance and entertainment production.
Her influence continued after she left the Cowboys organization. Brock pursued work in educational programming and public broadcasting, while the cheerleading organization she helped develop continued to grow into a widely recognized sports-entertainment brand.
As of September 25, 2026, her death is confirmed, while the cause of death has not been publicly established in the reliable reports reviewed. Further information about funeral arrangements or additional family statements should be taken from official announcements as they become available.
Disclaimer
This article is based on current reporting, official Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders material, NFL historical material, and publicly available biographical and obituary records reviewed on September 25, 2026. The cause of Dee Brock’s death has not been publicly confirmed in the sources reviewed and has therefore not been presented as fact. Family and personal details are included only where supported by the available records.
