McHayden Dillard

McHayden Dillard Sr, of College Station, Texas, was welcomed into Heaven on February 2, 2023.  McHayden was born on September 16, 1936 in Harlingen, Texas.

McHayden was a graduate of Harlingen High School in 1955 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a minor in Spanish at Texas A&I University- Kingsville.  McHayden served proudly in the United States Army and the Army Reserves.

McHayden married the love of his life, Barbara Sue Hensz, on March 29, 1963 at the courthouse after a short courtship.

Throughout McHayden’s life, he was an entrepreneur, always providing for his family.  McHayden began his career running his parents’ taxi company, auctioneering, farming and raising cattle. In 1970, he obtained his real estate license.  He continued to grow his farming business and held the distinction of the first bale of cotton in the United States, in 1975. McHayden also had a love for landscaping. He started a palm tree farm of 20,000 trees, which developed into to the Green House Garden Center in Harlingen.  McHayden also served on the Board of Directors of Harlingen National Bank in the 1970’s.  In 1978 he opened his first Skating Rink, Skateland, in Harlingen.  Skateland was an immediate success and progressed into five locations in the Rio Grande Valley, to include an outdoor skating rink on South Padre island.  He also owned several water parks and a go cart track in the Valley.  While living in the valley, McHayden began his real estate career flipping ranches.  He continued this career throughout his life.  In 1985, McHayden, Jr came to Texas A&M University. While McHayden and Barbara loved the Rio Grande Valley, they also fell in love with College Station. That same year, the family relocated to the Brazos Valley. Mchayden started Dillard Custom Homes and was a homebuilder for many years until he began land development and selling real estate as a Real estate Broker full time.  McHayden was a wealth of knowledge and was a mentor to many. He never met a stranger and was always willing to offer advice to all that needed direction.     

McHayden had a love for ranching and raising cattle, flying his airplanes, collecting vintage cars, saltwater fishing, hunting, and summers together on the coast.  

McHayden had many talents, including playing the accordion, guitar, and organ, but the thing that he loved the most was playing the piano.  McHayden loved playing church hymns and he played mostly by ear. His favorite song to play to his wife was their song, “It had to be you”.  There was not a Christmas, birthday, or celebration that the family did not gather around his baby grand piano while he played; he loved family gatherings.

McHayden loved the Lord and his family with all of his heart. His legacy will live on through the morals and values that he instilled into his children and grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Pryor Dillard and Lockey Hortense Dillard.

He is survived by the love his life and wife of 60 years, Barbara Sue; sons, Kirk Dillard, McHayden Dillard Jr. and wife, Renae Dillard; daughters, Debbie Dillard, Jackie Dillard Watson, Kathy Dillard Giammona, and Theresa Dillard Slocum and husband, John Harvey Slocum. McHayden is survived by grandsons, Lucas Giammona, Bubba Slocum, and Justin Dillard; granddaughters,  Abbie Dillard, Hannah Giammona, Dillan Slocum, Jaci McHayden Watson, and Ashley Bolton; step granddaughters, Alix Neil and Kamryn Dillard; and great-grandchildren, Joelie Sue Ramos, Karson Dillard, Ashton Dillard, and Ally Dillard.

Pallbearers are McHayden Dillard, Jr., John Harvey Slocum, Lucas Giammona, Bubba Slocum, Bo Boykin, and Dave Simon.  Honorary pallbearers are Kirk Dillard and Justin Ramos.

Special thanks to his care takers, Ruby Jackson and Linda Hamilton, Marta Gulbe, Chaplain Heidi Dixon, Acara Hospice, and Pastor Jimmy Sanders. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in McHayden’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association.