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SMITH, Ikard (b. 1919)

Oral Histories

OHB 0079

President and senior chairman of board, Mcclurkan’s, Wichita Falls, Texas. Family background; father’s employment with McClurkan’s store in Denton and Krum; father’s experiences opening and managing McClurkan’s store in Wichita Falls, 1907; comments on grandfather W. S. Ikard’s ranching activities in Clay County and relationship with Comanche chief, Quanah Parker; educational and social experiences at Wharton School; entry into business with father, 1946; expansion and modernization of facility; comments on popularity of hats and ball point pens, 1946; views on development of shopping malls and discount businesses; expansion into shopping center, Wichita Falls, 1956; comments on changes in retailing; training of salespeople; establishment of store in Golden Triangle Mall, 1981; personnel selection for Denton store; design of Denton store; comments on merger with Dunlap Company of Fort Worth, 1982; comments on growth of sales; views on profitability of downtown Wichita Falls store; comments on advertising; involvement in trade associations and civic activities.