Donald Houston Dillon

Donald Houston “Jerry” Dillon (many of you know him as just “Dillon”) passed away peacefully January 4, 2021, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just thirty days earlier. Jerry was born in 1945 in Cherry Grove, Oregon to Ralph “Ike” and Audrey Dillon. From the day he was born they called him “Jerry”. He was the oldest with five siblings: Ralph, Rick, Dale, Linda and Janice. Their parents were poor, but raised their children with so much love that money didn’t really matter. He was baptized a Christian at the age of 12. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam era, married Flora shortly after coming home, and they had five children: Matt, Carmen, Hank, Tina and Christine. Years later, they divorced and he married Peggy, who had two girls Lisa and Kim. Together they had Jerry “Critter” and Hoss. During this time, they also raised his 12 year old nephew Kelly (RIP 2010). Jerry spent years traveling to try to launch his music career--as you all know, he could play the guitar and sing country western music like no one else could! He always said “there’s only 3 kinds of music: Country, Western and Cowboy”. In 2000, he moved to Post Falls Idaho to open a Kirby Vacuum store and met Patti. Jerry helped raise her daughter too. Two years ago, he found he had another daughter, Therasa, he never knew he had. Jerry and the family welcomed her with open arms. There are no step or half siblings in the Dillon Family—we are ALL family. So when you add it all up, that’s a total of a dozen children. Having retired about two years ago, he recently enjoyed spending time with his great-granddaughter, Jaedyn, taking her to Church (Real Life) during the six months prior to his illness, and watching her faith grow. He leaves behind his wife Patti, 11 children, 22 grand children, 14 great-grand children, 5 siblings, several cousins and the many lifelong friends he made in his short 75 years on this earth. Our hearts will continue to ache until we see you again. You are singing with the angels now!