Dale Dillon

Dale Lee Dillon (pictured above with his favorite dog Baby) passed on May 8th in his home peacefully after losing his battle to cancer at the age of 72. Dale was Born November 13, 1951 in Rocky Ford to Ada and Henry Dillon. He was the youngest of 11 half siblings. Dale grew up in Ordway, attended and graduated from Crowley County High School class of 1970. Where he met Sarah Cobb and married after high school. They had two daughters Candace and Melissa.
Dale worked for the Rocky Ford Police and then Fire Department. Dale and Sarah later divorced, and he moved to Colorado Springs and then the Denver area. There he married Sherri Swink. He resided there and mainly worked in computers. Upon their separation he moved back to Ordway in 1994. Dale and later his girlfriend, Suzanne, helped care for his mother Ada. For years, Dale was the funeral home director at Griffy Family Funeral Home in Ordway and Fowler. When once asked why he loved this job, he replied, "I grew up here and know a lot of these people, and I think of it as the last nice thing I can do for them." During his tenure there, Dale was able to preside over and take beautiful care directing his own mother Ada's funeral when she passed.
For years, Dale served as Fire Chief of the Crowley County Fire Department in Ordway. where he was responsible for getting the new fire station. To this day, he is still well loved by those he worked with in the department.
God blessed Dale with the love of and natural talent for making music. His first learned to play the piano with his mother and then the organ. Spanning many years, while performing in 3 different bands, he was a singer and a drummer, he played keyboard, organ, piano, acoustic and bass guitar, harmonica, and more. He enjoyed playing in bands and performing at the Ordway VFW. Dale also enjoyed a stint as a disc jockey in his younger years.
Dale was highly intelligent, and he had a broad knowledge and experience in several different professions. Including earning a private pilots license for a single engine fixed wing plane, plumbing apprentice to supervisor running crews, computer communications with AT&T, computer tech for mainframe for Denver hospitals and life flight, he was a master craftsman, he and his brother Larry built their mom's home. He also enjoyed making computer tables, other office furniture and toys on his Shopsmith with Larry in his basement.
Given the time, money, and inclination Dale could build a house from the ground up. He was more than competent in electrical installation, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, etc. To say the least, he was a handy man to have around. He was not, however, much of an auto mechanic. Still, if asked, Dale never turned down a request for help with a broken down vehicle. In fact, if it was within his power, Dale would oblige any favor asked of him by a friend. Or even a friend of a friend.
Dale was raised in a Christian home and had faith. He showed his servant's heart by having a willingness to be generous of his knowledge, talents, and time to those he surrounded himself with. As well as a good sense of humor and demeanor. Because of this, the following was true of Dale Lee Dillon. To know him was to love him and he will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his soulmate Michelle, his half-brother Larry, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Dale was preceded in death by his Father Henry.H.Dillon, Mother Ada Lavina Willams Dillon and half brothers and sisters Viola Patton, Loyd Dillon, Virginia Green, Letha Bond, Velma Corum, Marjorie Henderson, Dorothy Gomez, James Dillon.
Donations can be made to the Dale Dillon Benefit at First National Bank.
Please bring a chair if one is needed.