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A Memorial Service for Teddy Mack Dillard will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Aline United Methodist Church in Aline, Oklahoma with Pastor Marvin Stuckey officiating.
Ted was born October 3, 1940 in Cleo Springs, OK to Raymond and Ada (Foster) Dillard and was called home on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Fairview, OK at the age of 85.
Ted attended Cleo Public Schools growing up. He was active and excelled in both baseball and basketball. Ted received scholarships for both sports at NWOSU in Alva, OK. where he played for one semester before being drafted as a pitcher to the Philadelphia Phillies. Ted’s contract was later bought out by the New York Yankees and he continued to play for a total of nine years before a shoulder injury ended his baseball career.
During high school, Ted met the love of his life, Marie (Lee) Dillard, who he established a life with and celebrated 61 years of marriage together. Ted and Marie were blessed with two children, Jeff and Jill. While Ted was traveling the country playing the sport that he loved dearly, Marie stayed on the homefront with their children and traveled to Ted’s games when able.
After Ted’s shoulder injury he returned home to Cleo Springs, OK where he and Marie built their forever home. He worked for Hiebert Brothers Construction and later purchased the Champlain Service Station which became Dillard Oil Company, serving the Cleo Springs community for over 30 years. Ted employed and mentored several young men in the Cleo Springs community over the years. He shared many memories with these young men at the station and created long lasting friendships that he always treasured. Five point pitch was the weekly Wednesday night ritual at the station after closing time. Ted and his buddies had some serious card games with big money pots available to the winners.
Over the years, Ted enjoyed many hobbies including noodling, hunting, metal detecting, coin and marble collecting as well as watching his kids and grandkids play sports. Ted and Marie would travel to numerous casinos and ballparks across Oklahoma, hitting jackpots and putting those extra dings on the truck from balls in the outfield. During family get-togethers, Ted was always sharing his advice on sports, hunting, etc, that he had acquired over the years. He loved spending time in his backyard with his kids and grandkids. The Dillard back yard was the gathering place for the neighborhood kids to congregate whether it be a game of Pepper or a friendly game of baseball. Ted was always right in the middle of the action helping anyone who wanted to know more about “the game”.
In addition to his love for baseball, Ted loved agriculture and hunting. He raised cattle over the years, farmed and helped his father-in-law with wheat harvest. Ted placed his kids in numerous livestock and horse shows at a young age and enjoyed watching his grandkids, nieces and nephews show at local and state events. Ted spent many early mornings and late evenings in the blinds, hunting for that big trophy buck and shared this passion and skill with his son and grandsons. Ted also enjoyed coyote hunting as a second sport which he enjoyed for many years when he wasn’t deer hunting.
In 2012, Ted developed medical issues that permanently impaired his daily abilities, but he never failed to make it to his grandkids activities, spending time with friends, and traveling to his favorite places with Marie. Even as his mobility declined, he was always up for a trip to the casino in his scooter with his grandkids or friends.
Ted is preceded in death by his loving wife Marie Dillard, son Jeff Dillard, parents Raymond and Ada (Foster) Dillard, stepmother Elida (Elliott) Dillard, brothers Dick Dillard, infant brother Jerry Dillard, Doyle Elliott, Jimmy Elliott, Gary Elliott, Billy Elliott, Freddy Elliott, sisters Peggy Cook and Sue (Elliott) Board.
He is survived by his sister Kay (Elliott) Thurman, daughter Jill (Dillard) Seelke and husband Jack Seelke; grandkids Tanner Dillard, Jaden Dillard and wife Morgan, Kade Dillard, Mason Seelke, Karlee Seelke, Nicki (Seelke) Dempsey and Suni (Seelke) Genn, great-grandkids Meyer Dillard, Sidny Hardcastle, Madeleine Genn and Colton Genn, as well as, brother/sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Memorials in memory of Ted can be made to the Aline United Methodist Church with Pierce Funeral Home in Fairview acting as custodian at P.O. Box 15, Fairview, OK 73737. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.piercefuneralhomes.com.
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