When Dale was a teenager, I was directing a Teen Choir at Unity Baptist Church in Fort Smith.  He came to choir practice regularly and sang with us when we participated in the church worship service or at Youth Rally's.  Dale admittedly said he did not have a good singing voice, but my response was always  "You're one of the best guys I have -- you're always here and I need you in the choir".  He was so faithful, so kind, so willing to serve the Lord in whatever way he could.  In recent years, Dale has said " Betty was the only person who ever said I could sing".  I loved Dale so much -- not just for his singing or his faithfulness, but because he was such a sweet, loving, kind, gentle person.  He endured so much pain - more than most of us could endure, he was a patriot, a military man, a hard worker, a God loving man and he was a gentle soul that always had a smile for me.  Dale will be missed by so many, especially his wife and his loving family, but I know Heaven is sweeter today, because Dale Whitson is there.  We have special memories.