Obituaries

William Barger Tygart

Photo of William Barger Tygart
William Barger Tygart was born in Danville, Ark., Aug. 16, 1935 to Joshua (Josh) Tygart and Willie (Bill) Edna Hunter. He passed away July 4, 2018 at Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas while surrounded by his loving family. Barger attended Danville High School and graduated from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark., where he proudly played football and baseball for The Wonder Boys. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Doris Shinn Tygart for 62 years until his death in 2018. While in college, Barger was a member of ROTC. Later, he joined the active military for three years and continued in the Army Reserves for 23 more years. He retired as a Major. Barger was always known as the best dancer and best dresser in school, as he loved clothes. He knew everyone and always remembered their names. These traits carried over into his extremely successful career. Barger got his first taste of business by selling at his father's general store in Danville, where as an only child, he worked during vacations helping his parents. He began his career with JCPenney in downtown Little Rock, Ark. Over the course of the next 38 years, his career took him from Little Rock to San Antonio, Denver, New York, Chicago and Dallas. He retired from JCPenney in 1998 as President, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman. Barger loved JCPenney, loved retail and lived and breathed his job. He was known for his love of double-breasted suits and pocket squares. Tales have been told that if you complimented his ties, he would give one to you. He was once known to own more sweaters and shoes than some of his stores. But most of all, he had a passion for his job. He loved to beat his competition, a trait obtained from his early sports days. After JCPenney, Barger became CEO and President of Monarch Dental Corporation. He was a director for Burlington Industries. He also served on the Board of Directors for KERA Public Television where he was an Honorary Life Director. In addition, Barger was a past President of Arkansas Tech Alumni Association and a Hall of Distinction member. He was named Retailer of the Year in 1992 by the Men's Fashion Association. In addition, he was named into The Apparel Industry Hall Of Fame. In 1994, Barger was awarded the Father of the Year Award. He served on advisory boards for The University of Arkansas, American Studies Institute at Harding University, The National Council of La Raza, The Fashion Association, and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Their kids described Barger with words such as kind, good, loving, good father, fashionable dresser, special, hard worker, the family anchor, always had the answer, long-winded and last but certainly not the least, soft-hearted. Barger and Doris had four children: Suzan Collins (Ron) of McKinney, Texas, Hunter and Elliott Collins, Barger Tygart (Diane) of Plano, Texas, Hanna and Will Tygart, Julie Hughes (Neil) of Oceanport, N.J., Josh, Leah, Julianne and Neil, Mark Tygart (Terri) of Plano, Texas, and Jack and Kate. They had 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Thanks for all the memories Pop! The family will receive friends during a visitation on Sunday, July 8, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013 (Ridgeview Exit 38A). A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 9, 2018 at Prestonwood Baptist Chapel with Dr. Jack Graham officating, 6801 West Park Blvd., Plano, Texas 75093. A reception is to immediately follow the service. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Earl Ladd Cemetery with Brother Joe Carlton officiating, Highway 80, Danville, Ark. A reception is to immediately follow at First Baptist Church, 1009 Main St., Danville, Ark. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, Texas 7523; Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, Texas 75219; or KERA, 3000 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75201.

Published July 9, 2018

Upcoming Events