Obituary for Jess Dollard
Jess Dollard, 84, of Fort Smith, answered Jesus’ call to his eternal home in heaven when he passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020.
Jess was proceeded in death by Betty Carol Dollard, his beloved wife of fifty-two years, who preceded him to heaven on June 19, 2018. Jess is survived by three children who loved him very much and who knew that he loved them; one daughter Karen Crossland and her husband Jimmy of Oktaha, Oklahoma; two sons J.W. Lewis and his wife Genny of Muldrow, Oklahoma and Steve Lewis and his wife Kim of Edmond, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren Michelle, Kelli, B.J., Ashley, Paul, Rebecca, Eric, Amy, and Karin; seventeen great-grandchildren, Dylan, Zack, Dakota, Jacob, Layla, Tobias, Brayden, Morgan, Hunter, Aurora, Emily, Gavin, Jayme, Karis, Emberleigh, Kasen and Broley. Jess is survived by many nieces and nephews who loved and respected him, considering him like their second dad. Jess will always hold a special place in the hearts of many people.
He was proceeded in death by his parents William Riley Dollard and Delpha (Teague) Dollard, eleven brothers and sisters, twin sons Timmy and Jimmy Dollard, and grandson Matt Crossland.
Jess was valedictorian of his class at Mountainburg High School where he was a basketball star, being referred to as the “Mighty Mite” after scoring 53 points in one game (before the three-point shot existed!). Jess was one of the best salesmen ever, dedicated to his work and treating his customers like friends and family. He continued to work through the day before his passing.
Jess proudly served our country with six years in the army, two years active duty and four reserve, serving in military intelligence from 1959 to 1965. He was in Germany involved in classified Morse Code communications during the Berlin Crisis in the Cold War.
A private family graveside funeral service will be at Conley Cemetery in Mountainburg under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. Due to Covid, there will be no public memorial gathering at this time but Jess’ children and family look forward to future family reunions where their dad, grandfather and great-grandfather can be honored and remembered.
In lieu of flowers, Jess’ family encourage you to call a loved one and tell them you love them. Live without regrets and do not lose the precious opportunity to improve or affirm your relationships with those you love!
Pallbearers will be his family.
Jess was proceeded in death by Betty Carol Dollard, his beloved wife of fifty-two years, who preceded him to heaven on June 19, 2018. Jess is survived by three children who loved him very much and who knew that he loved them; one daughter Karen Crossland and her husband Jimmy of Oktaha, Oklahoma; two sons J.W. Lewis and his wife Genny of Muldrow, Oklahoma and Steve Lewis and his wife Kim of Edmond, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren Michelle, Kelli, B.J., Ashley, Paul, Rebecca, Eric, Amy, and Karin; seventeen great-grandchildren, Dylan, Zack, Dakota, Jacob, Layla, Tobias, Brayden, Morgan, Hunter, Aurora, Emily, Gavin, Jayme, Karis, Emberleigh, Kasen and Broley. Jess is survived by many nieces and nephews who loved and respected him, considering him like their second dad. Jess will always hold a special place in the hearts of many people.
He was proceeded in death by his parents William Riley Dollard and Delpha (Teague) Dollard, eleven brothers and sisters, twin sons Timmy and Jimmy Dollard, and grandson Matt Crossland.
Jess was valedictorian of his class at Mountainburg High School where he was a basketball star, being referred to as the “Mighty Mite” after scoring 53 points in one game (before the three-point shot existed!). Jess was one of the best salesmen ever, dedicated to his work and treating his customers like friends and family. He continued to work through the day before his passing.
Jess proudly served our country with six years in the army, two years active duty and four reserve, serving in military intelligence from 1959 to 1965. He was in Germany involved in classified Morse Code communications during the Berlin Crisis in the Cold War.
A private family graveside funeral service will be at Conley Cemetery in Mountainburg under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. Due to Covid, there will be no public memorial gathering at this time but Jess’ children and family look forward to future family reunions where their dad, grandfather and great-grandfather can be honored and remembered.
In lieu of flowers, Jess’ family encourage you to call a loved one and tell them you love them. Live without regrets and do not lose the precious opportunity to improve or affirm your relationships with those you love!
Pallbearers will be his family.