Dale Dean Smith

Dale Dean Smith of Tucson and Phoenix died in his sleep at home on August 27, 2018 at the age of 70. The greatest passion of his life, his family—Sally J. Smith his wife of 54 years and hand-in-hand journeyer, the prides of his life daughter Carrie McElhaney, son Brian A. Smith, grandsons Michael T. Wheeler and Cody J. Wheeler, and son-in-law Jerry McElhaney are left to mourn his passing. Most of his life, Dale was a contractor, owning construction companies in Tucson, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. His teens and early twenties were devoted to another of the passions of his life, rock and roll, when he played lead guitar in a cult 60s garage band, the Grodes. Dale was a sucker for a pup petitioning a head scratch or a treat. He loved travel, photography, German food, a joke (the cornier the better), the Beatles, all things Disney, swapping fish stories and tall tales with his cronies, Aloha shirts, Christmas, and San Diego summers. Per his wishes, he will be cremated. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date, and updates will be posted on his Facebook page, which will remain open if friends and family wish to post comments. We’re all pretty sure he’s somewhere else much better than here, jamming with John Lennon and George Harrison. He was loved and will be missed. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to honor him, he’d have encouraged a donation in his name made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Dale was loved and will be missed.

On Saturday, October 20 from 5pm to 8pm, family and friends of Dale Dean Smith will gather to share memories, swap tall tales, and honor his life. We’ll be at:

Macayo’s Depot Cantina, 300 South Ash Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281

https://goo.gl/maps/55p2vUfEhcC2

There will be non-alcoholic beverages and appetizers on hand (Dale would approve. He was a man who looked fondly on a good taco). Also a cash bar.

Come and hang out with us, raise a glass, eat a chimi, listen to his fave playlists, and remember the good times. (Casual mood—casual dress).