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Noble Dilday, Jr. Obituary
Noble John Dilday, Jr.
August 28, 1942 – October 23, 2017
Jack Dilday, a lifelong resident of Long Beach, California, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 23, 2017, at the age of 75, after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.
A third generation Californian, Jack was the eldest of four children born to N. Jack Dilday and Pauline L. DeArmond. He made dozens of lasting friendships in local schools, attending Longfellow Elementary, Hughes Junior High, and Long Beach Polytechnic High School (Class of 1960), where he was a proud Jackrabbit and enthusiastic member of the car club.
Growing up around the family business, Dilday Family Funeral Service firms, Jack was industrious and compassionate from a young age. During his school years, he maintained a full work schedule, beginning with sweeping in the flower shop and driving the ambulance. He was president of his graduating class at the California College of Mortuary Science, and later earned his bachelor’s degree in public speaking from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where he was president (Eminent Archon) of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
In 1972, Jack made a bid for State Assembly (39th district), where he fielded a call from then-Governor Ronald Reagan and friends coined the campaign motto “Have a Happy Dilday.” In 1975, he landed in his chosen professional field, investments.
After graduating from the New York Institute of Finance, Jack’s 42-year career as an investment advisor began with his practice at Blyth, Eastman Dillon & Co. in Los Angeles. He went on to found the Long Beach area offices for Shearson Hayden Stone, Smith Barney, Sutro & Co., and RBC Wealth Management, where he was senior vice president and directed The Dilday Group with his late brother, Randolph Dilday. At each of those firms, Jack was named to the Chairman’s Council in recognition of his professional standards. In 2012, he founded Dilday & Associates, affiliated with First Financial Equity Corporation. There, Jack managed the portfolios of hundreds of clients – who became his friends – in more than 20 states.
Jack was a civic leader dedicated to serving his community. He was the 29th Chairman of the Metropolitan YMCA of Greater Long Beach, which governs six YMCA locations, and was most proud to teach public speaking at the YMCA Youth Institute. Additionally, he was a member of the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors and the board of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation.
Jack also served his alma mater, CSULB, as chair of the President’s Association, and a member of the Board of Governors. Additionally, he had been chairman of the board for the Rancho Los Cerritos Foundation, and president of the Long Beach Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.
At the time of his passing, Jack was a director for International City Bank, and a trustee for The Joan M. Wismer Foundation.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Randolph Dilday.
Jack is survived by his wife of nearly 34 years, Susan (née Pratt), and beloved daughters Joy Wonsowicz (40)(Pavel) of Los Angeles, Julia Dilday (32) of Chicago, Dr. Elizabeth Dilday (30) of Dallas, son Noble John Dilday III (28), and grandchildren, Eva (10) and Charles (7) Wonsowicz. Jack is also survived by his sister Pamela Davis (Chris) of Santa Barbara, CA, and brother Steven Dilday (Christina) of Garden Grove, CA, as well as his father-and-mother-in-law Walter and Harriet Pratt, of Minneapolis. Jack’s passing will also be felt by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, whom he loved dearly.
A devoted father, husband, and friend, Jack will be deeply missed by his family and “pals.” In his life, he prized loyalty above all else, and gave as much as he expected. He lived life fully every day, abiding by his favorite saying, “Don’t worry about the mule, just load the wagon.”
Private family services were held last week.
Donations in Jack’s memory are requested to the YMCA of Greater Long Beach (Camp Oakes Camperships Fund/Youth Institute), 3605 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite 210, Long Beach, CA 90807, or Las Floristas, c/o Rancho Los Amigos Foundation, P.O. Box 2370, Downey, CA 90242.
Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401
Memories and Condolences
for Noble Dilday, Jr.
Florita
October 18, 2025
Never forgotten.
Lee West
June 5, 2023
To Susan and Family,
I worked with Jack at Shearson (out of the BH office) for many years. We enjoyed laughing and the great times during the 1980's on the many Chairman Council trips we enjoyed as well as his advice at times. He was a great pal during those years and so sorry to hear about his passing.......God bless him and your family. Lee West
Sylvia Conn
January 20, 2022
I am sorry to hear about Jack passing. My prayer for the family. I was his children preschool teacher. Great family
Florita Davis
October 18, 2019
Eternal Smiles
Florita Davis
November 21, 2017
To Susan and the family, thank you so much for sharing Jack with us. We think of all the support and love that must surround you daily from sharing space and time with such a wonderful companion. May only the good times and fond memories fill your heart and mind and may the family continue to do well and keep his generous spirit alive here in Long Beach. Florita, Long Beach Symphony
Cynthia Day-Elliott
November 16, 2017
So sorry that Jack is gone. Knew him through AYSO soccer, professionally through mutual clients & Bay Shore Church. Always enjoyed him & he made that season of soccer a great one. My sympathy to all his family.
Colin Chang
November 11, 2017
Got message from Steve this morning that Jack has left us. Wish he could still get all the digital messages everyone sent to him, on his All-in-one computer!
Jeff and Janet Wells
November 10, 2017
So sorry to hear of Jack's passing. Jack was a friend, mentor and trusted financial advisor. We will miss him. Our sympathies and prayers to the family and the employees of Dilday and Associates.
Bill and Debi Bliss
November 10, 2017
We are so very sorry for your loss. Jack was not only a trusted advisor, but also a dear friend who always gave so much. He was a pillar of strength and kindness. He will be greatly missed.
Sandi Sonnenberg
November 7, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Jack was always a pleasure to be around. A true gentleman and leader.
Connie
November 7, 2017
May the God of comfort be with you at this time
Dan Lloyd
November 5, 2017
So sorry to hear this. Jack was our neighbor for many years. What a kind , gentle family man. He will be missed by so many. My sincere condolences to the family. Rest In Peace my friend.
Carl DuBois
November 4, 2017
I have known Jack since I was a Camp Director and he was a camper at Camp Bluff Lake with the Long Beach YMCA. Jack was thirteen fourteen and was an outstanding young man. I later ran into him when he was a major figure with the same YMCA and the only difference was his age. He was one of a kind. Thoughtful. Generous. A great parent. A model family man. A major asset to the YMCA in so many ways. And, to me a great friend. He leaves a fantastic legacy to all of those who have known him.
Judy Buffingtom
November 2, 2017
To Jacks famiy: Please accept my sincere condolences. Jack was a sincere friend and many memories will be brought up from the 60's and beyond. May you rest in peace.
Sincerely, Judy Stubbs Buffington
Pat Lien
November 2, 2017
My condolences to Jack's family and friends at his passing. I'd been a client of Jack's for several years now and he always came across as a warm, honest gentleman. He will be missed.
Sandra and Martin Muth
November 1, 2017
We have just learned of the loss of your dear Jack. We are so very sorry. We have such great memories of spending many a Friday night with all of you and friends, enjoying margaritas and nachos, New Year's parties when the children were little and so many other happy times together. Please know that Jack and all of your family are in our prayers.
David Freeman
November 1, 2017
We loved this man. Going to college with Jack and working with him over the years he was so special. He will be missed.
Lenore Rozner and Mike Crosby
October 28, 2017
Our deepest condolences to the entire Dilday family on Jack's passing. Jack was a talented businessman but, more importantly, a generous and caring father, husband and community member. He left a beautiful, strong family as his legacy and good memories with those that interacted with him. He will be missed.
Paul Rybak
October 27, 2017
"Our Sincere Condolences to Jacks family". We began our careers in 1961 in the Family Mortuary Business and have enjoyed a good friendship ever since. Be at peace Jack and may you have rest everlasting~~~~
Tom Reep
October 27, 2017
Deeply saddened to have heard of Jacks passing. I have such fond memories of Jack and me coaching soccer and little league baseball teams together with our sons. Jack was one of the most gracious and giving men I've known and I will miss him.
Dave Cardenas
October 26, 2017
Jack you will certainly be missed. Our YMCA experiences will be something I will never forget. Jack you made such a positive difference in the lives of so many youth and adults. God Bless!
Leah Stuart
October 25, 2017
Saddened to learn about the passing of Jack. Some of my best college memories and fun times include many, many double dates with Jack. Several times we went to the Hollywood Bowl, the Sumset Strip and BalWeek during Easter vacation, and of course several parties at his home.
Jack was a great guy and a dear friend. Thank you Jack for these wonderful memories and such fun times during our youth.
LEAH ( OLSON ) STUART
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