Tuesday, September 6, 2011

JACK "MATT" DILLON 1927-2011

     The following notice was published in the Spokesman-Review on  April 20, 2011:

DILLON, Jack "Matt"

Passed away April 7, 2011 in Spokane WA. at the age of 83.  Jack was born in Whichita, Kansas on December 15, 1927.  Following his father's work as an electrician at oil refineries, he said he moved too many times to count, spending most of his youth in Montana.  As a high school freshman he moved to Spokane and attended Lewis and Clark and John R. Rogers High School.  He excelled at tennis, winning the city singles championship.  During his junior year he left school to join the service during WW II and was stationed at Fort Lewis.  After the war he came back to Spokane and graduated high school in 1948.  He then moved to Coulee City, WA. to help with his father's amusement machine business where he met and married Bonnie Ewell.  There their son and daughter were born.  In 1950 he was recalled to active duty in Korea and served in the 453rd Engineers.  He recorded movies documenting his service experience and was honored by the South Korean government for this contribution.  Jack was a born salesman selling everything from ice cream to classified ads at the Spokesman-Review.  In Ephrata he managed the Lee Theaters, sold ads for radio stations KULE and KWIQ and sold neon sighs for Heath Sign Company.  Jack and Bonnie were very active in the Spokane Yacht Club.  After Bonnie retired from AT&T, they moved to Friday harbor, WA, to be near their daughter and son-in-law.  Jack enjoyed adding his own touch of remodeling to his new surroundings.  They purchased an RV and traveled the US.  Jack and Bonnie were married 58 years.  When Bonnie passed away Jack moved back to Spokane.  He enjoyed hosting BBQ parties for his friends, watching old motion pictures, where he could identify every actor in every classic movie.  Jack lived at the Waterford Retirement Community for his final days.  He had a great time telling the staff all the stories of his life -- and there were many.  We will all miss those stories Dad.  Jack is survived by his son, Dan Dillon and wife, Melody of Spokane; his daughter, Jackie Armstrong and husband, Dane of Friday harbor; granddaughters, Megan Dillon of Seattle, Jennifer and Jami Armstrong of Seattle; sister-in-law, Esther Fichera of Spokane and numerous nieces and nephews.  Rest in peace and Happy Trails Dad.  A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2011, at 2:00 pm, at the Greenwood Memorial Terrace.  Hazen & Jeager Funeral Home 1306 N. Monroe is in charge of arrangements.

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