Tommy Dale Smith, age 79, passed away on March 16, 2026, in Whitney, Texas. Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Monday, March 23, 2026, in The Chapel at Griffin ~ Hillcrest Funeral Home. Services will conclude in the Chapel.

Dale was born on March 15, 1947, to Howard Ellis and Tommie Irene (Brock) Smith in Hobbs, NM. He was a graduate of Odessa Texas High School with the class of 1966. Dale enlisted to serve his country in the United States Airforce, where he served as a diesel mechanic and was honorable discharged in 1970. After his discharge, Dale moved to Ardmore where his parents had moved. Dale purchased the Tasty Freeze in Ardmore and ran it until 1976. He went to work for Orkin Extermination and later for Joe Brown as a diesel mechanic. Dale then worked as a salesman for MAC Tools, later opened ABC Driveshaft Shop, and then eventually retired.

Dale was an avid hunter of elk and deer and had a hunting lease in Arbuckle Mountains for 20 plus years. He loved anything outdoors and would go fishing anytime he could. Dale will be remembered for the meals he cooked at campsites whenever family and friends joined him on hunting trips.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Patricia Bryant, Beverly “Bobi” Smith, and Judy Smith Rodriguez and brothers, Howard “Hoss” Smith and Guy Smith.

Dale is survived by his son, Jamey Morris, three grandchildren; Jackson Morris, Carter Morris, and Lennon Morris, sister, Becky McNeely and husband, Herschell, and numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends.