Tad Dildilian

Tsolag Ara “Tad” Dildilian, 87, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025 in Graham. Memorial service will be held Saturday, February 8th at 2:00 in Oak Street Baptist Church.

Tad, as he was called because T. A. D. are his initials, was born June 12, 1937 in Suffield, Connecticut to the late Ara Tsolag and Martha (Sisson) Dildilian. He married Donna Case July 4, 1964 in Broadalbin, New York. Tad graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Agriculture and Education and was a veteran of the United States Army.

Tad was born on a tobacco farm where he developed a love for sheep which he raised while in 4H. He had happy memories of those sheep, but it would be many years before he knew he needed a Shepherd. 

Tad was raised as the oldest and only brother in a family of girls—a sister just younger than him, and a set of younger twins. His sisters say he was a great big brother who loved them…and his first car—a Jeep! His family moved to Broadalbin, NY where he met Donna Case who became his bride of 60 years. They married on the 4th of July, and we teased them he married her on that date so he wouldn’t forget his anniversary! He was clever like that and he loved to make people laugh. 

In 1975 they moved to Graham, Texas with four children in tow where he was in charge of Southwest Fiberglass. While living in Graham, Tad became involved in Rotary Club and served as a past president as well as being a Paul Harris Fellow. He loved The Duck Derby and looked forward to it every year. Many of you have fond memories of him making you laugh while performing in the Rotary Follies. He also loved community theater and entertained many of you that way while forming friendships with some wonderful people. 

For many years, Tad drove a school bus and was known as Mr. D. He enjoyed the Graham Steer football games and would attend all the games he could. He also loved his night shift Whataburger crew. Ever a humble and kind soul, he touched hearts wherever he went. 

Children were always dear to his heart and he volunteered as a Mentor with Virginia’s House. His love of children was never more evident as it was when he began to pass out smiley face stickers to the kids as they entered and exited Walmart where he worked as a greeter. He was lovingly known as “the sticker guy.” He absolutely loved his Walmart family whether they worked for Walmart or just visited with him there. People kept him going and he was working hard to get back to work so he could see everyone.

During his time on earth, he was a devoted and faithful servant. He had a literal “mountaintop” experience on one of his trips with the Rotary Club to India. It was then he realized he needed a Shepherd and he trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He loved his church, Oak Street Baptist, and he loved his Emmaus Community. They both gave him so much love and love is what he gave to everyone. People loved him well because he loved them so well. His family never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. No matter where he was or what he was doing, Tad strived to “leave a little Jesus” wherever he was, and he always did. Tad was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He had a heart for people and was patient, kind, and loving in his interactions with everyone he encountered. He loved his community of Graham dearly and looked forward to seeing and talking with his many friends around town. No matter what was going on in Tad’s life, his answer when someone asked how he was doing was simply to grin and say, “Tremendously wonderful, and getting better!” His family is at peace with the knowledge that he is tremendously wonderful, and the best he’s ever been. 

Survivors include: wife, Donna Dildilian of Graham; daughters, Melanie Willeby and husband, Thomas of Iowa Park, Rebecca Hobbs of Graham and Debbie Rhodes and husband, Mikal of Graham; son, Jason Dildilian and wife, Amy of Bryson; sisters, Miriam Hinnant of Denver, Colorado, Rachel Dildilian of Hyde Park, New York and Ruth Traa of Somers Point, New Jersey; eight grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Cameron Blake Gary and a great grandson, Wesley Nathaniel Gary.

Memorials may be made to Humane Society of Young County, Virginia’s House, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. 

Visitation will be Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at Oak Street Baptist Church.