Obituaries:  Thomas Dale Jones, Sabine Parish       J-520
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Oct 6, 1977
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net


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Thomas Dale Jones (Photo)

  Two Florien High School students were killed in a head on
collision on Sunday, Oct. 2 near DeRidder, according to officials
at Troop H., Leesville.

  The accident, which occurred about 3:20 p.m., come 1.5 miles
south of DeRidder on U.S. Highway 171, claimed the lives of David
Ray Smith, 18, of Florien, and Thomas Dale Jones, 17, of
Hornbeck.

  According to state police, a 1974 pickup truck driven by Smith
crossed the center line on a curve, into the wrong traffic lane,
and crashed head on with the 18 wheeler leased by Acme Truck
Lines.

  Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, and his passenger,
Jones, was dead on arrival at Beauregard Memorial Hospital.

  In Beauregard Memorial Hospital, in serious condition, is L. B.
Patterson Jr., 49, of Pasadena, Tex., the truck driver..

  State police said Patterson was thrown some 40 feet from his
truck by the impact of the collision.

  David R. Smith was a member of the 1978 Senior Class at Florien.
He had attended high school at Florien, but had received other
education from Russeon Jr. High in Bossier City, and Jackson Jr.
High in Houston, Tex.

  A Baptist, David was known around FHS for his friendly attitude,
and his constant chatter. An intelligent young man, David made
friends easily, and was well liked.

  Dale Jones, 17, was a member of the Pine Grove Baptist Church.

  Dale has attended W. W. Lewis Jr. High in Sulphur, and Hornbeck
High School, prior to his transfer to FHS.

  He was an active member of the Future Farmers of America, and
the Blackcat Baseball and track team.

  A quiet boy, Dale took great interest in extracurricular
activities at FHS. He had a good personality, according to
teachers.

  Survivors of Smith include his mother and stepfather, Mr. and
Mrs. Clifton H. Horn of Florien; his father, Fred D. Smith of
Pasadena, Tex.; two sisters, Laura, and Kristy Horn of Florien;
his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Smith of Navasota,
Tex.; and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Alta Forman of Lake
Charles.

  Funeral services for Smith were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct.
4, at the Belmont Baptist Church. Burial was in the Belmont
Cemetery, under the direction of Warren Meadows Funeral Home.

  Funeral services for Jones were held on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 4
p.m., in Prewitt's Chapel. Burial was in the church cemetery.

  Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Jones of
the Plainview community; one brother, Matthew Jones; three
sisters, Joyce, Susan, and Sara Jones, all of Plainview; and his
maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Slaughter of Florien.

  School at Florien was dismissed all day Tuesday, in order for
classmates to attend the funerals.