Horace Dale Smith

Horace Dale Smith passed away August 28, 2025 surrounded by family.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025 at the Pearl Cemetery followed by light refreshments and snacks at the Pearl Church of Christ.

Dale was born November 11, 1947 in Alamosa, Colorado to Roy Jr. and Lena Mae Smith. They moved to Ballinger, Texas not long after he was born. Dale was raised in Ballinger and graduated from Ballinger High School where he was extremely active in FFA. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served with the military police during the Vietnam War. He always said that his experience in the Air Force was far greater than any college education because of the people and cultures he experienced while serving, especially in Japan and Hawaii. While stationed in Hawaii, he served with pride on the PACAF Honor Guard. Upon leaving the Air Force, he settled back in Ballinger where he worked on gas lines with Lone Star Gas, Atmos, and TXU before retiring.

On August 31, 1993, Dale married Mary Mueller. They had a wonderfully blessed life with travel and adventures. His favorite journey was to Africa, where he and Mary helped on a missionary trip.

Dale was a strong Christian man as well as a loving husband and father. His kindness was felt by many. He shared his love for God, history, and nature with his family constantly. Through all this, he taught his family about love, respect, hard work, and dedication.

Dale had a passion for horses all his life and eventually bred and sold registered Foundation Quarter Horses. He was an excellent cook, enjoyed taking pictures, and hunting for arrowheads.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Jr. and Lena Mae Smith; his sister Debbie Anderson; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his wife Mary Smith, daughters Misti Ray and husband Chris, and Carie Clapp and husband Rocky II; stepsons Philip McBee and wife Stacey, and James McBee and wife Tracy; stepdaughter Laura Hermesmeyer and husband Stephen.

His grandchildren are Randi Harb and husband Josh, Trent Ray, Rocky Clapp III, and Reese Clapp; great grandbaby Milli Harb; step grandchildren Dawson McBee and wife Kaitlin, Riley McBee and wife Sidney, Bronte Hermesmeyer and wife Emily, Bailey Brown and husband Cameron, Bryce Hermesmeyer, Tate McBee, and Pierce McBee.

He is also survived by his nephew, Jacob Anderson, and niece, Amiee Galindo, and numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.