OVARD, CARDE JEANNIE (1942 ~ 2019). The following is an obituary for Jeannie Ovard, spouse of Judge John Ovard. The obituary was published in the Dallas Morning News in 2019.

OVARD, Carole Jean Knight Castañeda - Carole Jean Knight Castañeda Ovard known to family, friends, students, teaching colleagues, neighbors, grocery store cashiers, fellow elevator passengers, babies in strollers, and all dogs that ever crossed her path as "Jeannie" died on April 2, 2019.

Named by her big brother George after Carole Lombard and Jean Harlow, Jeannie was destined to lead a life full of sparkle. After surviving polio as a child, she set out to prove she was just as energetic and active as any other kid in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She excelled at playing marbles and, with her younger brother Jim by her side, got into (and out of) many scrapes. (If we said that no ants were harmed by sunlight through a magnifying glass, and no grapevines were smoked behind the backyard arbor, we'd be lying.)

As a teenager, Jeannie reveled in being a loving aunt to her older brother's children (Doug, Staci, Clay, and Lee Ann). The sparkle in her eyes and gleaming smile as she told a campfire story, delivered a naughty joke, or talked her way out of trouble was trademark Jeannie. A top student at Oklahoma College for Women, Jeannie studied Shakespeare, broke her pinky finger playing softball (it always curved out a bit after that, to her tomboy's delight), and earned a coveted teaching position in Arvada, Colorado.

Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Jeannie married her high school sweetheart, Mike Castañeda. Together, they braved the Colorado winters and dutifully brought Coors beer on visits back to Chickasha. Ultimately, Mike's job at WFAA as a video-tape engineer brought Jeannie to the place she felt most at home: Dallas, Texas. It was in Dallas that Jeannie welcomed her three daughters into the world: Kirsten, Tracey, and Sara. Jeannie taught her daughters how to have fun in almost any situation. Blanket forts, slumber parties by the fireplace, backyard camp-outs, alphabet I-spy on road trips, peppermints while waiting in line (or in church or at the doctor's office or really anywhere)there was no end to Jeannie's creativity and support as a mother. Her love was unconditional, boundless, and fierce. (Mama Bears in training for protecting their young use Jeannie as a role model.) She knew just when to give a hug and also the right moment for a reminder that it was time to "suck it up" and move on. Jeannie shared her love and sparkle with others, as well. Her role as a loving aunt expanded with her younger brother's children (Shannon, Jim D., Amy, and Jennifer). And she was devoted to her students at Prestonwood Elementary and Hamilton Park Pacesetter. She treated her students with honesty and respect, as well as a healthy sense of humor and fun. That sparkle shone through whenever she was with "her kids," whether in the classroom, on recess duty, or during before- and after-school activities.

Although Jeannie and Mike later divorced, they remained friends and partners in parenting their daughters. And during Kirsten's year as a briefing attorney at the Dallas Court of Appeals, Jeannie met the man who would become her husband and partner for life, John Ovard. Jeannie adored John and loved welcoming his children (David and Wendi) into her family and into her heart. Her sparkle and John's wit made their home a lively, fun place that friends and family wanted to be. (Of course, friends and family were advised to call first because Jeannie and John might be out having dinner at Keller's, attending a judicial conference, or traveling on one of their many trips to Hawai'i, Reno, Shreveport, Las Vegas, and Austin.) Scrabble games, Easter lunches, family birthday parties, pizza nightssomething fun was always afoot at Jeannie and John's house.

Throughout her life, Jeannie took pleasure in the "little things," which as always, are actually big things in disguise. Mustard sandwiches. A cold Coors Light. Sitting in the backyard at sunset. Dogs. An occasional, extraordinary cat. Sparkly things. An evening walk. Chocolate-covered cherries. Hummingbirds. The smell of mimeograph ink. The beach. Chewing gum. Beyond all measure, Jeannie loved her grandchildren. She endeavored to teach them the value of a hearty laugh, the restorative power of candy, and the best way to burp as loudly as possible (drink Dr. Pepper or Topo Chico). The joy Jeannie experienced from being part of her grandchildren's lives is immeasurable. Her pride in them will live on forever.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents George and Lillie Mae Knight, her parents-in-law Helen Castañeda and Augie and Lilah Ovard, her brother and sister-in-law George and Jan Knight, her nephew Clay Knight, and her son-in-law Jason Huffman. Her hope was to see them (and the beloved dogs and cats she doted on over the years) in Heaven, and we trust her faith has been rewarded. Jeannie is survived by her beloved husband John Ovard; her children and their spouses/partners Kirsten Castañeda, Tracey Huffman and Kevin Cottle, Sara Castañeda, David and Wren Ovard, and Wendi and Erich Schlarb; her grandchildren Jack and Caroline Huffman, Dawson and Davis Ovard, Ben and Andy Martinec, Ali Schlarb, and Katie, Michaela, and Allie Cottle; her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Sherry Knight; and her nieces and nephews Doug Knight, Staci Schepers, Lee Ann Knight, Shannon Knight, Jim D. Knight, Amy Knight, and Jennifer Knight. Jeannie is also survived by cousins, great-nieces and nephews, a great-grandchild, and an extended family that includes Mike and Shirley Castañeda, Jack and Donna Huffman, Dana Huffman and Melanie Bullock.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Dallas (6121 E. Lovers Lane). In honor of Jeannie's sparkle, a celebration of life will follow the service at Ozona (4615 Greenville Avenue). For anyone considering sending flowers, please consider instead a memorial donation to The Alzheimer's Association or the PTA at Hamilton Park Pacesetter or your neighborhood elementary school.