DIMMITT - Ralph Glenn Smith, 84, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008.

Private family graveside services will be Wednesday. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church in Dimmitt with the Rev. Derrel Evins officiating. Arrangements are by Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt.

Ralph was born Oct. 15, 1923, in Slaton to Jesse Ralph and Lurline White Smith. At the time, his father was the band leader in the Harley Sadler Tent Show, which played in towns in Texas and New Mexico.

In 1925, the family moved to Hereford, where his father eventually started the high school band program.

Ralph began playing the cornet at the age of 6 and participated in the National Music Contest in 1939 and 1940. During World War II, he played in the 501st U.S. Army Air Force band in Hawaii.

In 1947, Ralph married Avis Harbour. They had two children, Steven Douglas and Richard Alan.

He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in instrumental music from West Texas State College in 1949. His first teaching position as band director was in Childress from 1949 to 1952. In 1952, he moved to Dimmitt, where he remained until his retirement in 1983.

While in Dimmitt, Ralph's bands won 28 sweepstakes awards. They won the "Outstanding Band Award" at the Enid Tri-State Band Festival, Buccaneer Festival, Worlds of Fun Festival in Kansas and the Durango Band Festival. They were runner-up for the Outstanding Band at Six Flags of St. Louis and at the Opryland Festival for two years.

Ralph held every office of T.B.A. He had served as president of Phi Beta Mu Alpha Chapter, and served as a national board member of Phi Beta Mu. He was assistant executive secretary for T.B.A. He was the band contest chairman for Region XVI, North Zone, for 13 years. He had served as a member and chairman of the State Music Advisory committee.

Ralph was Texas bandmaster of the year in 1979. He was well-known as an adjudicator and clinician, and also for the eight books he co-authored with Frank Piersol titled "Precision Drill." He was also the author of the book "Instant Mix."

In 1991, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Texas Hall of Fame.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Dimmitt. He was a Mason and a member of the Shrine Club, the American Legion and the VFW.

Ralph touched the lives of hundreds of students whom he loved as his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Richard Alan; a brother, Gerald Smith; and two sisters, Martha Jane Smith and Joan Euler.

Survivors include his wife, Avis; a son, Steve Smith and wife Karron of Dimmitt; and a grandson, Taran Scott Smith of Dallas.

The family suggests memorials be to Hospice Cares of Dimmitt, 112 W. Jones St., Dimmitt, TX 79027; DARSPA Scholarship Fund, c/o Judith Hauf, 615 N.W. Eighth St., Dimmitt, TX 79027; or Dimmitt First United Methodist Church, 110 S.W. Third St., Dimmitt, TX 79027.