Joe Ellard

Joe Dennis Ellard, 78, of Rowlett, Texas found peace on October 29, 2012. Joe was born in Texhoma, Tx in 1933 to Joe and Annie Laura Withers Ellard. After roughnecking in the oil field for 5 years, Joe decided he could do the same job as the engineers he worked with on the rigs. He enrolled at Texas Tech University, where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in mechanical engineering in 1962 and a Masters degree two years later. He spent most of his career in the petroleum industry which took him as far as Alaska in his assignments. While at Texas Tech, Joe met a tall and lively coed in the student center named Linda Louise Linn. They were married in 1960 in Alvin, Texas and remained devoted partners for more than 52 years. In addition to family, Joe enjoyed fishing, boating, guitars, computers and monitoring the stock market. Survivors include wife Linda Ellard, son Robert Ellard of Aubrey (Donna), daughter Ginger Day (Darrell) of Richardson and granddaughter Marissa Linn Day; mother-in-law Mary Virginia Linn; sister, Laura Ellard of Guymon, Ok. and half-sister, Jo Dell Tigrett of Amarillo; two brothers, James Ellard of Virginia Beach, Va., and Roy Ellard of Guymon. He was predeceased by a sister, Francis Bergner of Texhoma, Ok. The family suggests memorials be made to themmrf.org.