Broadcasters Mourn Loss of Radio Legend Jack Dillard Sr., 93

East Texas lost an incredible man this morning; Jack Dillard Sr. passed away at 93. 

Dillard, a 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. 

In 2002, Dillard became a minority owner of KMHT Radio; 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 our sister station, KGAS, in Carthage. He also had a weekly Texas Farm Bureau Radio segment for many years. He was also a well known auctioneer, and co-owned Double D Auctions with James Duncan. Dillard 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.

Above all, Dillard loved the Lord and his family, who lovingly called him “Daddy Jack.”