Wesley Ray

Ard

Wesley Ray Ard, 84, of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2026, surrounded by his beloved wife and four daughters. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, entrepreneur, mentor, and man of deep faith, Wesley lived a remarkable life defined by love, generosity, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others.

Born June 16, 1942, in a room above the town drugstore in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Wesley was the son of Bo and Methal Ard. He often described his childhood as idyllic, filled with the simple joys of small-town life, close family ties, and endless outdoor adventures. He was a proud graduate of U.S. Grant High School in Oklahoma City, where he distinguished himself as an exceptional basketball player. His talent earned him a full athletic scholarship to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where he developed lifelong friendships and graduated with the foundation to make immeasurable impacts in his life ahead.

Of all the decisions Wesley made in his lifetime, he considered the best to be agreeing to a blind date with a young schoolteacher named Susie Kinnard. They married on June 8, 1973, beginning a beautiful and unshakable partnership that would span more than 53 years. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, family, adventure, and an enduring devotion to one another. Their family grew to include four daughters, Staci, Amy, Ashley, and Casey, who would become four of the greatest joys of Wesley's life.

Affectionately known as “Da-ta-da,” Wesley was an extraordinary father who delighted in spending time with his girls, teaching them everything from riding bicycles to baiting hooks, and instilling in them the values of hard work, kindness, independence, and love of family. His greatest joy was watching his family grow, and he embraced his role as grandfather and great-grandfather with the same boundless enthusiasm and affection.

A gifted entrepreneur and natural leader, Wesley founded and grew numerous successful businesses throughout his lifetime. Blessed with unparalleled business instincts, remarkable vision, and an indomitable spirit, he was never afraid to take a chance or begin again. He faced adversity with courage, optimism, and determination, often turning his greatest challenges into opportunities. Together with his favorite salesman, Susie, he built more than businesses. They built a life filled with shared dreams, hard work, and a belief that anything was possible.

But for Wesley, success was never simply about what he accomplished. It was about the people he met and the lives he touched along the way. He possessed a profound understanding of people and a genuine passion for helping others. A mentor to countless individuals, he felt called to share the wisdom gained through his own life experiences. Whether offering business advice, helping someone navigate a personal challenge, or simply lending an encouraging word, Wesley made himself available to anyone who needed him. His generosity knew few limits, and his greatest satisfaction often came from seeing others succeed.

Wesley's love of the outdoors remained a constant throughout his life. An avid quail hunter, he treasured time spent in the fields with his beloved bird dogs and the companionship of his hunting buddies. Some of his happiest moments were spent gathered around a campfire, cooking steaks and his famous french fries with onions, listening to music, and sharing his many stories. He and Susie also created a cherished family retreat on Lake Hamrick in East Texas, where generations gathered to fish, swim, tell stories, and make memories. The lake cabin became a beloved symbol of everything Wesley valued most: family, fellowship, and the simple pleasure of being together.

A man of enduring faith, Wesley was especially proud to have helped found Highland Country Fellowship alongside his dear friend Sammy Davenport. What began as a simple vision on the back of a napkin grew into a thriving community of faith. Of all his many accomplishments, helping establish a church where others could grow in their relationship with God held a particularly special place in his heart.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, Bo and Methal Ard of Mount Ida, Arkansas, and his sister, Bobbie Brocaw of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Susie Kinnard Ard; his four daughters, Staci Kimbrough, husband Trey, Amy Turner, Ashley Mello, husband Eddie, and Casey Satullo, husband Stuart; his ten grandchildren, Janie Tekell Jordan, husband David, Savannah, Addison and Gracie Turner, Wesley, Decker and Birdie Mello, Jett, Charlie, and River Satullo all of Dallas, Texas; and two great-grandchildren Walker and Campbell Jordan.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the American Heart Association.

Although Wesley’s heart weakened in the end, it was only after he had given so much of it away.