MR JACK DILLON Obituary (1929

Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors Jack Riley Dillon passed away December 5, 2013. Born on July 5, 1929 to Jessie and Amos Dillon in Cheyenne, Wyo. Jack was the eldest of five children which included David, Victor, Wesley and sister Marquita, as well as half-sister Dorothy and half-brother Larry. Jack married Tommie Sue Lindsay on July 23, 1949. Together, they raised five children: Linda (Wadsworth), Jackie (Sisler), Thomas, David and Marla (Critchley). After the passing of Jackie and granddaughter Rebecca in a horrendous car accident, Jack and Sue adopted and raised Jackie's other two children: Theresa (Anderson) and Joshua. In the early years, Jack and Sue lived in the Puyallup area where they and the children became very close with the Denny family and the David family. The couple was quite fond of bingo and square dancing. Responding to the allure of a quiet farm life, Jack and Sue moved the family to "Dillons' Susie-Q Ranch" in Gig Harbor, where beef, milk and eggs were produced for the young family. After 20 years "on the boats," working for Foss Launch and Tug Company out of Tacoma, Jack moved the family to the Yakima area where he purchased and operated a commercial apple orchard on Naches Heights for 35 years. During that time, Jack became a volunteer fire fighter/EMT. Jack eventually rose to the rank of Fire Chief and was elected and re-elected several times as Fire Commissioner for his district. Jack and his colleagues are responsible, on behalf of Naches Heights, for acquiring top notch fire-fighting equipment as well as the installation of fire hydrants throughout the area. Jack was also responsible for the excellent training of the area's fire fighters. Upon retiring from the orchard business and fire department, Jack and Sue traveled extensively in warmer climates until Sue's death in 2006. Jack traveled on alone until he met his final companion, Betty Hanania of Bullhead City, AZ. Together Jack and Betty explored the Colorado River, Nevada, Arizona and California with many RV friends for 6 years. Jack is well-known for his story telling and the ability to re-tell each one in extensive detail with the same emphasis, gestures and verbiage as it was told the very first time. Jack is also known for his hard work ethic and fair and empathetic treatment of his employees. He has always been a follower of Jesus and set his moral compass accordingly as a loyal husband and friend and a caring, forgiving, generous father and grandfather. Jack leaves behind his loving children and friends and a large number of adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his parents and brothers Victor and Wes and by daughter, Jackie and granddaughter Rebecca, adopted son (grandson) Joshua and wife of 57 years, Tommie Sue. A graveside service will be held for family and friends at West Hill Cemetery on Monday December 16 at 10 am. Following the service, there will be a community celebration of Jack's life at Mighty Tieton Harvest Hall located in Tieton, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Jack's name to his beloved Naches Heights Fire Department.