Dale Edward Nash was born on November 10, 1951, to Laura and Robert Nash in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He had two older sisters, Cleo Brown and Murriel Chappory. After the death of his father, his mother married Merton Rice and the family moved to Riverside, California. They later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when Dale was in junior high school.

Dale was an avid reader, a dime store sci-fi or western paperback was a common companion. He enjoyed sports, playing baseball and football throughout his time in school, and he lettered in varsity football while attending Tulsa Central High School. Dale did well in school, but he didn't enjoy it. He dropped out, before the end of his senior year in 1969, to pursue his goal of joining the Army.

After graduating basic training Dale was assigned to the 4th Armored Division near Fulda, Germany, where he was a tanker and served as his unit's training NCO. Not one for the garrison life, and afraid he was going to miss the end of the war, he volunteered for service in Vietnam and arrived in country, in the spring of 1971. Initially assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Division, and then the 720th Military Police Battalion in Long Binh, Dale served as an M60 machine gunner on his unit's quick reaction force, as well as doing convoy escort throughout III Corp, South Vietnam.

After being honorably discharged, Dale moved to Stillwater to be closer to his parents. Despite being a staunch OU fan, he attended Oklahoma State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. During college he spent many of his weekends hiking in the woods, hunting and fishing. This passion later turned into a job with the Oklahoma Wildlife Department as a technician at the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area.

Dale later moved back to Stillwater and worked as a surveyor for the city of Stillwater, before taking a job with the United States Postal Service, which he held until his retirement.

After retirement he served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 820, in which his son Thomas was an Eagle Scout. In his free time Dale loved spending time with his dogs and taking his canoe to one of the many lakes around Stillwater. He was a proud supporter of the Salvation Army in honor of his sister, Murriel Chappory who served with the organization.

Dale is remembered by his son Thomas Nash of Tahlequah, step-daughter Amy Brown of Tulsa, step-son Matthew Brown of Tennessee, former spouse Marsha Nash of Stillwater, and sister Cleo Brown of California. Dale was preceded in death by his father, Robert Nash, mother and stepfather, Laura and Merton Rice, sister, Murriel Chappory, and brother-in-law Dick Brown.