Ted Moorman Dillard

Ted Moorman Dillard went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, with his family by his side due to a sudden illness. He was 85.

Ted was born on May 6, 1933, in Dallas, Texas, to Herbert Spencer Dillard and Mattie Lois (Fausett) Dillard. He attended and graduated from Tyler High School in 1950 and went on to attend North Texas State University in 1951 and 1952. Then in 1953 he entered the United States Air Force, completed his training at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois in 1954 and then was stationed at Perrin Air Force Base in Texas where he went on active duty as a Weather Observer during the Korean War until released into reserve duty in 1957. He received an honorable discharged in 1961.

He married Neta Jo Hays on June 6, 1959 with whom he had three sons. He began a successful career in the pipe and drain industry working for Tyler Pipe Industries in the early 1960's and became District Manager in 1969 until he officially retired that position in 1995. During his employment with Tyler Pipe, he became founder and president of Ted Dillard, Inc. and continued to work as an outside sales representative for Tyler Pipe and Wade Industries until early 2017.

Ted was an avid horseman most of his life and enjoyed nothing more than going to rodeos all over Texas with his sons in tow so they could compete in bull riding and roping. After his sons were grown, he picked up where they left off with his granddaughter, Lauren, who competed in barrel racing and roping from the time she was in middle school through college. He held positions as President, Past President, Director and Member of numerous rodeo and equine organizations including the Tyler Saddle Club, AQHA and ETBRA and others throughout those years. He was a long-time member of Green Acres Baptist Church and faithfully supported the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission and East Texas SPCA.

He is remembered with love by a son, Terry Cox Dillard of Tyler, two granddaughters, Lauren Elizabeth Dillard of Ben Wheeler and Devon Clayre Wyszynski and husband Tom of Houston; great-grandson, Jameson Wyszynski of Houston; former daughter-in-law, Tama Threlkeld of Tyler (mother to Lauren), and Melanie Martin of Tyler, (mother to Devon); a close family friend whom he considered a granddaughter, Nicole Foster Meler of Lometa, Tx., and his beloved and faithful blue heeler, Sugar.

He is predeceased by his loving wife, Neta Jo (Hays) Dillard, sons, Clay Moorman Dillard and Kyle Justin Dillard, a sister, Mary Ann (Dillard) Wofford, and great granddaughter, Natalie Elizabeth Dillard.

At Ted's request, there will be no public service held. His remains will be scattered with those of his wife, Neta and great-granddaughter, Natalie, under an Oak tree planted in their honor at the Lazy D Ranch in Edom, Texas in a private family service at a later date.

Desired memorials can be made to East Texas SPCA, Highway 80 Rescue Mission or charity of your choice.