Dale Ham

Arthur Dale Ham passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, surrounded by his devoted family, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Dale, the son of Polly and C.A. Ham, was born on July 15, 1940, in Laneville, Texas, and was raised in Mt. Enterprise. After losing his mother at just four years old, Dale was blessed to be surrounded by the love of family. His father remained an important part of his life, and his grandparents helped provide a steady foundation of love, faith, and guidance that would shape the man he became. After graduating from Mt. Enterprise High School, where he was voted Senior Class Favorite, Dale attended Panola Junior College where he played baseball. He later moved to Dallas and began working for Braniff Airways, where he met Judy Edam. In 1963, Dale enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in El Paso. The following year, he married Judy, and together they began building a life and raising a family. After his military service, Dale joined the University Park Police Department. Dale and Judy were blessed with two daughters, Karien and Sharien. 1966, Dale was hired by the Richardson Fire Department. He climbed the ranks to Captain, where he served faithfully until his retirement in 1998. During those years, Dale and Judy made their home in Garland, Texas where they raised their daughters and built a life centered on faith, family, and community. Captain Ham was well respected by his fellow firefighters - including his future son-in-law Richard Strange. Dale’s crew formed a brotherhood that lasted his entire life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors. Dale and his family were active members of Braeburn Glen Baptist Church in Dallas, where he was ordained as a deacon. Upon his retirement in 1998, Dale and Judy moved to Terrell and built a home on their land so they could focus on their growing orchard business. They became devoted members of First Baptist Church of Terrell, where Dale continued serving the Lord through church leadership and various committees. Dale was involved in the Texas Fruit Growers Association and served as president from 1998 - 1999, and was also a member of the National Peach Council. He partnered with Dr. David Byrne of Texas A&M University, allowing his orchard to be used for fruit grower clinics and as a testing site for the development of new peach varieties. Dale served on multiple boards including the Elmo Water Supply Corporation, the Texas Farm Bureau and the Kaufman County Emergency Services District Board. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Polly and C.A. Ham and his half-brother Bobby Charles Ham. Dale is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Judy Ham; his daughters and sons-in-law Karien & Danny Thomas and Sharien and Richard Strange: his granddaughter, Alexandra Strange; his grandson, Taylor Thomas and other family members and friends. The Ham family wishes to thank Dr. Tyson Barnes, Patsy Walker, Dr. Charlie Risinger and Dena Risinger. Christian Companion Senior Care and Anew Hospice for their outstanding medical care. They also are grateful to Dale’s team of caregivers: Linda Adair, RN, Valencia Brown, Michael Duckworth, Shannon Harrison, Jenny Holland, RN, Ronnie Howell, Betsy Kitur, Jeff Mayhall, Brandy McCord, Amanda McDonald and Rhonda Rork. Funeral service for Dale will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Terrell. The family will receive friends beginning at 3 p.m. until service time with an interment to follow at College Mound Cemetery in Terrell. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Transportation/ Van Fund at http://onrealm.org/FirstBaptistChu66550/-/form/give/now

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Dale Ham

July 15, 1940 - May 31, 2026