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1951 - 2018

BORN

1951

DIED

2018

About

Yucca Valley High School California State University

Dan Dillon Obituary

Dan Dillon

Palm Springs - Dan Dillon died on November 26, 2018 at his residence in Palm Springs, California.

Danny was born on March 2, 1951 in Newport, Rhode Island, to Nicholas and Martha (Cronin) Dillon. Dan was the eldest of four sons born to Nicholas and Martha. The family moved to California in the 1960s and Dan was a member of the first graduating class of Yucca Valley High School in 1969.

After high school, Dan enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until 1972. He was posted in West Germany for the majority of his enlistment. Dan was a proud veteran and was always grateful for the opportunity to see various parts of the world that his military service provided.

Upon leaving the military, Dan enrolled in college. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from California State University at San Diego, where he studied photography. Dan's talent with the camera was widely recognized and much of his work is award-winning.

Dan retired from the U.S. Postal Service after a career of some thirty years, almost all of it spent at the main post office in Palm Springs. Upon retirement, Dan enjoyed visiting with friends in and around Palm Springs and traveling to visit family members throughout the west. Whether at home in the desert or traveling, Dan was always eager to take in a movie or go to a baseball game; he truly enjoyed them both. Dan's sense of humor and friendly ear will be missed by friends and family alike.

Dan is survived by his daughter Cassie and son Maxx, both of Fairfax, Virginia; brothers James of Palm Springs and Matt of Reno, Nevada; and numerous cousins, extended family members and friends throughout the country.

Dan was preceded in death by brother Nicholas and his parents.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Desert Sun on Dec. 23, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Dan Dillon

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13 Entries

Melody Welmas

January 9, 2019

My warmest heartfelt thoughts of love go to Jimmy & Matt and all of Danny's family.
May his journey on be freeing and peace filled. No doubt that his father & brother will be there to assure a welcoming smooth transition.
Let this be a reminder to us all of the fragility of life.
Blessed be.

January 3, 2019

I'm sorry for your loss. May God provide you with strength and comfort during this time.

Christmas at my brother's house in La Quinta

Elizabeth Balkir

December 30, 2018

I feel so lucky to have known Dan Dillon. He enriched my life in so many wsys. We were good friends for twenty years since my first grandson was born. Many of my closest friends are grieving with me because of his kindness and caring nature toward them over the years.
I remember Dan helping me set up my second grade classroom at the start of the school year. He had so many ideas to make the room functional and fun and attractive to my second graders. I remember our taking a trip to San Diego and visiting Old Town and the old haunts of Dan's college days. We had the habit of taking walks around Desert Falls Country Club and he always told me stories that made me crack up. He knew how to laugh and put others at ease in his presence whether with my ten-year-old granddaughter Emma or my 90-year old neighbor Sylvia. He was the only person besides me who was acceptable to my cat Layla who lived a hearty 22 years. She would as easily rub herself against Dan's ankles as she would mine. Yet Layla was known to attack any other male who entered my home. My beautiful Coco, an Irish setter/Golden retriever, was frequently found walking with Dan at the Rose Garden when I was recovering from three knee surgeries between 2004 and 2011. Dan had a soft spot in his heart for creatures. If he ever sat down with anyone to revisit the classic film Old Yeller, he would not be able to see it through without shedding a tear.
I was blessed to have Dan as a friend because I have wonderful memories that will always bring a smile to my face. Dan, just as the rest of us, had human frailties. But I never knew him to have an ounce of meanness toward anyone. He was not Judgmental. Once when I was criticizing someone we both knew fairly well, he was silent for a minute or two. Then he put his arm around me and said, I'm not perfect, you're not perfect, maybe we can let that go. It was a profound moment for me. And I have had to remind myself of his words many times.

Dan and Elizabeth 2002, Desert Falls Country Club

Elizabeth Balkir

December 30, 2018

Jim Dillon

December 30, 2018

Danny, I hope you are at peace and In a place where meer mortals like us can only dream about. Your life was consumed with responsibility starting at a very young age . You sacrificed a lot on my behalf. Thank you for always being there for me in good times and bad . I will miss your quick wit and sense of humor ( especially your imitation of Howdy Doody and , mostly Ed Sullivan) you made me laugh and made me cry ...as brothers do. I was lucky to have you as my big brother. I hope that , Dad and, Nicky are with you on this next life you are about to embark on. Rest In Peace my sweet brother .... at least until I get there ;)
I love you Danny.
Always and forever,
Jimmy.

Me and Uncle Danny

Anthony Davis

December 29, 2018

I love him and he was a good man. It's sad because I will miss him.

Chivaun Dillon

December 29, 2018

I loved my Uncle Danny very much and am grateful to have been given the opportunity to spend some time with him, to have gotten to know him better during his later years. Also, I'm so grateful he and my young son were blessed enough to have made one another's acquaintence, and to have made their way into one another's hearts. They shared much appreciation for one another. My Uncle Dan was an open-minded, understanding & and acutely funny conversationalist. I was always touched by the thoughtfulness and generosity he showed my young family and I. He was a ready and sympethetic ear whenever personal crises struck me over the last several years and a surprising friend - there to talk, during some lonely times. I'm happy, now more than ever, that his smiling & loving presence was in attendance at my younger sisters' wedding. To me, my uncle Dan Dillon, was a loving man whose life experiences had given much wisdom, humor & compassion. He worked hard through his life and loved a good time. He taught me to fully enjoy time with my loved ones and to not take circumstances for granted. I will miss him.

Valerie Long

December 27, 2018

Gone to young. You were always a kind and loving man. Wishing you a beautiful ever after with your Dad and brother. My sincere condolences to the family.

A. H.

December 27, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Tarynn Dillon

December 26, 2018

I knew my uncle as a generous and good-hearted man. I will miss his sharp wit and jokes that were always at the ready as well as the friendship he showed me over the years. I will miss him. May his spirit rest in peace.

Rick Schwabauer

December 25, 2018

Rest In Peace Danny. You are free and now with you dad and brother.
Love
Rick

Rick Koukal

December 23, 2018

Really saddened by this. I was looking forward to seeing him at our upcoming reunion.

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