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Darrel I. Dillon, 67, a resident of Albuquerque, died Wednesday, September 11, 2002. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lisa K. Dillon of Albuquerque; son, Ken Dillon of Albuquerque; daughter, Emily K.T. Dillon of Albuquerque; son, Lyle I. Dillon of Wasila, AK; daughters, Carolee K. Dillon Petrillo of Egg Harbor Township Harbor, NJ, Dawn E. Dillon and Jeanne M. Dillon, both of Denver, CO; seven grandchildren, Ilia K. Egan of Denver, CO, Max Petrillo and George Petrillo, both of Egg Township Harbor, NJ, Virgil Lackey and Trista Lackey of Denver, CO, and Stephanie Oglesby and Ronnie Oglesby of Denver, CO; stepmother, Mary Jane Green of Rapid City, SD; cousins, Frances (Frankie) Wilcox of Long Valley, SD, and Maria E. (Lani) Cole of Lincoln, NE who were like sisters to him. He was also survived by his wife's family and a host of other relatives and friends who will deeply miss him. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Peter Dillon and Emily Standing Bear, mother, Julia Dillon Green, stepfather, Douglas T. Green and brother, Douglas T. Green Jr.; and his aunt, Stella Green. Mr. Dillon was born in Rosebud, SD and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. His early years of poverty and other reservation hardships led him to join the USAF on February 3, 1952. Mr. Dillon remained on active duty for several years as an aircraft mechanic at several duty stations including Laughlin AFB in San Antonio, TX, Lowry AFB in Denver, CO, Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD, Chaunte AFB in Chicago, IL, and Kepljavik AFB in Reykjavik, Iceland. In 1961, as a participant in the Native American Relocation program, he moved to the Los Angeles area where he completed his degree in electrical engineering and worked for Hughes Aircraft and Space Program. In 1968, he moved to Ogden, UT to attend BYU. It was there he achieved one of the highest scores ever posted in Physics. In 1971, he moved to Denver where he worked for the State of Colorado Employment services and then the United States Civil Service Commission in 1973. His greatest career satisfaction came from working with various native tribes. He loved working with them, helping them do employment analysis. Mr. Dillon also worked with numerous Native tribes helping to develop their own staffing and economic needs. He spent 11 years in San Francisco and retired from Civil Service in 1992 in Albuquerque as director of Personnel for Indian Health Services for the Albuquerque region. Mr. Dillon belonged to the Mile High Optimist Club and was also active in Stay-In-School Programs. He loved golf and fishing. A rejoicing service celebrating his life will be held Tuesday, September 17, 2002, 11:30 a.m., at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, with Pastor Rick Donaho officiating.ť Interment will take place at 2:30 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery.ťA traditional Irish wake will be held at 5:00 p.m. at the family home. Pallbearers will be Sam Gershin, Mark Smith, Jim Bohlken, Ron Zawistowski, and John Matte. Honorary Pallbearers will be Meritt Hutton, Scott Hutton, John Hutton, Ted Hutton, Tim Rounds, Ed Gaeto, Sam Gaeto, Harold Dillon, George White, and Bob Smith.ť Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to any organization serving youth such as Albuquerque Youth Symphony or Choir, Albuquerque Concert Band, Mile High Optimist Club, or your school's fine arts program. Arrangements by French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE.
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