of Little Rock, AR

February 28, 1927 - September 25, 2021

Theo (Ted) A. Dillaha Jr.
Feb. 28, 1927-Sept. 25, 2021
Theo A. Dillaha Jr. peacefully started his heavenly adventure with family by his side after a short illness. ''Ted,'' known also by his family as ''Daddy'' or ''Granddaddy'' was the happiest of patriarchs. He lived life to the fullest - never missing an opportunity to play golf, cards, go to the races, attend or watch a Razorback game or spend hours with family and friends working on a puzzle. Ted was patient and kind. He spent countless hours teaching, laughing, and playing games with Mary Ann, his four children, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He made everyone feel as if they were the only person in the room. He also shared his good-hearted competitive nature and as a result, the Dillahas play Chinese checkers like the purse is a million dollars when it's simply bragging rights.
Ted was an ambassador of joy. To know him was to see and feel joy and happiness. He was larger than life because he simply loved every minute of it, and everyone in it. He lived with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He didn't miss an opportunity to meet people and make new friends. He found the good in others and inspired those around him to be their best version of themselves. Not because he asked them to - because that is simply how his leadership inspired others. This was often demonstrated by his recruiting of friends and family to join him serving at the Little Rock Stewpot and their mission to ''Feed the Hungry.''
The twinkle in his eye, his happiness, kindness, patience and joy will live on as his legacy in many generations to come. His only known weaknesses were ice cream and chocolate, and he loved a good stop at Cracker Barrel on road trips. The only time he fibbed was when he was asked how many corned beef sandwiches he had at the races and he would wink and say ''Well, probably just one'' and light up with a big smile.
Ted was born in Little Rock in 1927. He graduated from Tennessee Military Institute and then attended Baylor and Texas A&M for the Army Specialized Training Program. He served as 2nd Lieutenant in the Army with the U.S. occupation forces in Japan as a JAG officer. Upon returning, he earned his B.A. in Law from the University of Arkansas. He was a Boy Scout leader and was on the Quapaw Council Board where he received the Silver Beaver Award. He was a member of the Founders Lion's Club since 1963 where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. Ted was also the Chairman of the Diaconate at 2nd Presbyterian Church.
After graduation, Ted worked at the family wholesale fruit and vegetable business, ''The Dillaha Fruit Company,'' where he was appointed a member of the United States Fruit and Vegetable Board and later became President of the Dillaha Fruit Company. He was also elected to the Little Rock City Board of Directors in 1972.
In Ted's own words, ''I have been blessed my entire life, with love and care from my parents, my two sisters Daphne and Patricia, my loving wife Mary Ann, my children, the Veterans Association, Lions Club, his beloved ROMEOS (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and card buddies, fellow church members and Woodland Heights residents and staff and my many friends and family.''
Ted is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary Ann Davis Dillaha, whom he toasted at their 50th Wedding Anniversary as ''the most beautiful woman in the world''; his children Mary Louann Stafford (Doug) and Theo Dillaha III (Rebecca Caldwell); his daughter-in-law Kay Hunt Dillaha; grandchildren Kristine Bailey, Cindy Dillaha Lemley, Essra Dillaha Kibler (Colin), Evan Dillaha Neiser (Celeste), Tansil Kay Sandlin (Scott), Damon Alvin Neiser (Brett), and Dalton Scout Dillaha; and great-grandchildren Connor Carlile, Cole Lemley, Daphne Kibler, Hazel, Dalton and Boone Sandlin, and Lilly, Cece and Maggie Neiser. He was preceded in death by his parents Theo A. Dillaha Sr. and Myrtle Anna Yarbrough Dillaha; sisters Daphne Thompson and Patricia Chambers; sons Thomas Tansil Dillaha and Bennett Davis Dillaha and grandson Thomas Tansil Dillaha Jr.
Memorial services will be held at 2 pm Thursday, September 30 in the Second Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr, Little Rock, AR.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Maasai Education Foundation at https://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2457198 or mail checks payable to Maasai Education Foundation at 345 Woods Lane, Newport, VA 24128. The Maasai Education Foundation is a public charity started by members of his family that he was very proud of. The Foundation operates a primary school in Tanzania for Maasai children from disadvantaged families.

Sign Guestbook

9 Condolence(s)