Jack Bennett Dillard, Sr.

East Texas lost an incredible man on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Jack Bennett Dillard Sr. passed away at age 93 in Carthage, Texas surrounded by his family. He was born in Marietta, Oklahoma on April 24, 1932 to Jack and Virgie (Fife) Dillard. Jack was an Army veteran, married his love, Burniece, in 1955, and children soon followed. He worked as an assistant county agent in Gregg County when he decided to make a career change. On Thanksgiving Day 1959, he became the Farm Director for KWKH in Shreveport. He had never been on the radio before! A weekly column in the Shreveport Times came along with the radio gig. That career change marked the beginning of a stellar career in both radio and newspaper that continued for more than 50 years. He was also a well known auctioneer, and co-owned Double D Auctions with James Duncan. In 2002, Jack became a minority owner of KMHT Radio and the Dillard family's ownership in the station continues today. He wrote a weekly column for the Marshall News Messenger for many years and contributed a twice-daily radio show to KMHT and their sister station, KGAS, in Carthage. He also had a weekly Texas Farm Bureau Radio segment for many years. Jack was a member of the Cattlemen's Association, Texas Farm Bureau, National Association of Farm Broadcasters, and other groups and organizations, which are too numerous to mention. He loved and supported Waskom, and was named Waskom Citizen of the Year in 2019. He loved Waskom ISD, his church, all things agriculture, and anything that focused on youth, especially if the youth activity involved agriculture. He was devoted to Farm City Week and all the activities involved. In his younger years, he was a rodeo photographer, capturing many memories for those participating. Above all, Jack loved the Lord and his true passion was the time spent with his family who lovingly called him "Daddy Jack." Jack is survived by his children, Jack Bennett Dillard, Jr. and his wife Dottie, Jerry Brent Dillard and his wife Dawn, James Barry Dillard and his wife Nancy, Janet Burniece Greer and her husband, Gregg; his grandchildren, Jamie Parks and her husband Justin, Julie Watkins and her husband Jeff, Deke Dillard and his wife Andrea, Fancy Pettit and her husband Steven, Ryker Dillard, Jena Dillard Whitsett, Jake Greer and his wife Jessy, Jade Greer; great-grandchildren, Case Parks, Jack Parks, Madison Watkins, Taylor Sosa, Sloane Dillard, Judah Dillard, Murphy Dillard, Dakota Dillard, Asher Pettit, Teegan Pettit, Darci Jo Whitsett; his cousin, Willis Choate and a host of other family members and many friends who knew and loved him. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Burniece Freeman Dillard and his parents Jack and Virgie Dillard. The family would like to express their heartfelt love and appreciation to the staff at Winkler Court Assisted Living in Carthage, Texas and to Accent Hospice for the love and care shown to Jack during his time there. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials in Jack's memory to The First Baptist Church, 185 Colquitt Street, Waskom, TX 75692.