Maj. Jim L. Dillon, retired, a long-time resident of Elberta, died Monday Jan. 26, 2009 at his home in Timberville, Va.
He was born Feb. 18, 1930 in Harlan, Ky., to James Loran and Opal May Glasford Dillon.
He spent his early years with his parents in CCC camps where his father was a manager and heavy equipment operator.
The family moved to Cincinnati. His father continued to work as heavy equipment operator and his mother ran the family grocery store and served as a foster mother.
He graduated from Norwood High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his completion of basic training at Paris Island, he was selected to be trained as a Marine Corp pilot.
He attended flight school at Pensacola Naval Air Station. He flew over 90 missions in Korea, served as a flight instructor at Baron Field in Foley, served in Vietnam and retired after 20 years of honorable service in 1970.
After his retirement from the Marines, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education, mathematics. He served as a teacher and substitute teacher in Baldwin County for several years.
He was very active in his community serving as PTA president at Elberta Junior High, as a member of the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department, as a volunteer at Foley Hospital, the Baldwin County Public Library and on the board of the Baldwin County Heritage Museum.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jack L. Dillon.
His survivors include his wife of 47 years Margaret Arehart Dillon; three daughters Christina (Barney) Montelone of Mobile, Sandra Dillon (Gary W. Ward) of Monroe, La., Jennifer (Paul) Van Prooyen of Sayner, Wis.; four grandchildren, Jennifer Howell, Suzanne Howell, Dillon Nelson and Margaret-Evelyn Nelson; and three great-grandchildren.
His body is being donated to science. His remains will then be cremated and interned at Arlington Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Broadway Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 666, Broadway, VA 22815 or the RMH Hospice, 235 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Arrangements are by Grandle Funeral Home Inc., Broadway, Va.
