Merrill Dale Smith, 74, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, May 2, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in, and was a long time resident of, Jasper, FL. He was a member of the Hamilton County High School Class of 1967, where he was President of the local FFA.  He was also a graduate of North Florida Community College in Madison. Merrill served in the United States Army, serving three tours in Vietnam. He spent the remainder of his service years as a member of the Florida National Guard, where he was deployed to serve in Operation Desert Storm. He grew up farming and developed a love for it that carried into his adult life, as he spent most of his free time riding horses and raising cattle. Merrill worked for PCS Phosphate in White Springs for over 30 years, before retiring and later making his home in Lake City, FL. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Bright Pond Baptist Church in Jasper. Merrill is survived by his wife of over 48 years, Julia Osburn Smith, Lake City; his two children, Aimee Greene, McAlpin and Justin Smith (Megan Lang), Gainesville; one brother, Gerald Smith (Dorothy), Jasper; one granddaughter, Stella Greene, McAlpin; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Sadie Smith; and oldest brother, Edwin Smith. Graveside funeral services for Mr. Smith will be conducted on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Falling Creek Chapel Cemetery north of Lake City with Pastor Gerald Smith and Pastor Milton Smith officiating.  Interment to follow.