Extracted from the Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX)
Wednesday, March 14, 1945

Orchestra Leader's Father Succumbs

J. L. Ard, 76, Seagoville lumberman and father of J. Wilbur Ard, conductor of the WFAA Early Bird Orchestra, died Tuesday evening at his home. He had been in the lumber business in Seagoville for about thirty-five years.

Born in Mississippi, Ard had lived in Seagoville since about 1869. He was a member of the Baptist Church and was a Mason.

Surviving him in addition to his son of Dallas are his wife, Mrs. Gertrude Hawthorne Ard; another son, Harry C. Ard, New York; two daughters, Mrs. John M. Wiser, Dallas, and Mrs. Rhea Ard Shaw, Seagoville; two brothers, Floyd E. Ard, Dallas, and A. S. Ard, Seagoville; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.