Dennis Neil Dillon
Dennis Neil Dillon, 89, passed away in Houston September 10, 2015. Dennis was born April 26, 1926 in Wheatland, WY to Herbert M. and Hildur Nellie Rydberg Dillon. The youngest of six, he now joins siblings Dorothy, Selma, Josephine, Ira and Charles who’ve preceded him in death. His formative years were spent in Oregon, where he graduated from Corvallis High and earned a Civil Engineering degree from Oregon State College. High school summers were spent working forest fire fighting camps instilling in him a strong work ethic. Dennis served his country as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1947. While stationed in Seattle, WA Dennis met Shirley Faun Crial and the two were married June 19, 1948 beginning a love story lasting 65 years before Shirley passed away in 2013. Once married, Dennis embarked on a long and successful career in commercial construction management working for industry leaders Kiewit and Martin K. Eby taking the couple to locations throughout the Pacific Northwest and Plains States before settling in Clear Lake City in 1987. Dennis’ business interests were varied as he and a group of investors chartered a national bank in a suburb of Wichita, KS. Dennis and Shirley have one son and daughter-in-law, Robert Dillon and Kirsten Kenney of Scottsdale, AZ, who survives them. Dennis led a servant’s life. Once his own needs were met, it was time to help others. This is evident in the organizations that have benefitted from his keen business acumen and generous charity – Gideons International, Space Center Rotary, Nassau Bay Baptist Church and Second Baptist Church to name a few. Dennis and Shirley traveled extensively before and after retirement. Throughout most of his retirement, Dennis enjoyed nothing more than a casual round of golf with friends. With Shirley’s passing and his body beginning to fail, Dennis continued to enjoy the frequent companionship of his fellow servants and spent many hours fueling his competitive spirit by cheering on the local sports franchises. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Nassau Bay Baptist Church, 18131 Nassau Bay Drive, Houston, TX 77058. Dennis’ ashes will be memorialized, with his beloved Shirley, at the Veterans Cemetery in Houston. Donations in his memory may be given to any of the four charitable organizations mentioned