Dallas Lee Smith, Jr., 73, of Midland passed away on Friday, January 15, 2016. Dallas was born on October 14, 1942 in Groves, Texas to Dallas L. Smith, Sr. and Claire J. (Dolan) Smith. He grew up in Nederland on a cattle ranch.He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Donna Smith of Midland; children Slade Smith of Midland; Chase Smith of Midland; Elena Smith of Midland; Renee Hall (husband Terry) of Austin; Blake Commagere (wife Xuan) of Palo Alto, CA; Kari Commagere of Austin; his brother, Carl Smith of Houston (wife Vickie); two grandchildren; three nieces and one nephew.He is preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Dr. Nathan Parker.Dallas attended Nederland High School, Lamar College, and the Texas Highway Patrol Academy. He was assigned to Midland in 1965. He joined the Army Reserve in 1965 and was elected sheriff of Midland County from 1977 to 1984. He then went into the oil business and was the owner of Deep Water Resources. Dallas learned to fly aircraft soon after he came to Midland. At the time of his death, he was serving as president of the Midland County Airport Board and the Permian Basin Area Airport Board.The family will be accepting guests at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Wednesday January 20, 2016. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in the Sanctuary on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.Pallbearers will be Ricky Roderick, Shane Bippert, Rick Odom, Robert Bell, Russel Potter, and Harold Davis.In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be donated to Trinity School, 3500 W. Wadley Ave., Midland, TX, 79707; Hillcrest School, 2800 N. “A” St., Midland, TX, 79705; or Midland Christian School, 2001 Culver Dr., Midland, TX, 79705.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
