Dr. Owen Dee Dillard

The Memory

"I wanna live fast, love hard, die young, and leave a beautiful memory" was Faron Youngs top song in Abilene, Texas when we married in 1962. Owen was finishing his pre-dental classes, and we laughed and called it "our song". During these 63 years, he succeeded, except that he turned 90 this year.

That beautiful memory included decades of caring for others as a husband, father, teacher, dentist, church elder, and coach. And there were many times he quietly met needs that other people might not have noticed. For others, the fish he caught, cleaned, fires, and served in big parties make treasured memories.

Our best treasures are West and Caren Cooper Dillard: Clay Dillard: Amy and Mark Valls Dillard, and grandson Owen Duke Valls. Owen will be buried at his family's country churchyard near Hot Springs, Arkansas; because family was so important to him, lease honor his memory with extra attention to your family. Memorial gifts may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation.

The Facts:

Parents: James and Vera Cate Dillard

Birth: Junes 25th, 1935 in Jones Mill, Arkansas

High School; Magnet Cove, Arkansas 1954

Bachelor of Science: Henderson State Teachers' College 1957

Coach and History Teacher: Ganus School in New Orleans, Louisiana 1957 – 1961

Marriage: Sue Vinther, Dallas, Texas on August 25, 1962

Biology Teacher: Garland High School 1962

Doctor of Dental Surgery: Baylor College of Dentistry 1962 – 1968

Family Clinic: Garland, Texas 1968-2000

Nursing Care: Greenfield Residential Care Home 2022 - September 6th, 2025