Thomas E. Dillon, M.D. passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2020.
Dr. Dillon was a physician, army veteran, and public servant who dedicated his life to the health and education of every community he served. He was a loving spouse, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Tom was a very generous, kind, and compassionate man.
Born in Derry, Pennsylvania on December 15, 1931, Tom’s parents owned a small store that survived only because of hard work. He never shied from a challenge and contributed to the family resources by working a trap line in the mornings before high school. Tom worked his way through the University of Pittsburgh in the steel mills by hitchhiking 45 miles from Derry to Pittsburg. He earned his medical degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Medicine. After obtaining the rank of Lt. Colonel in the US Army, Tom returned to private practice as a family physician and emergency room doctor in Caldwell, Idaho.
He met and married his first wife, Ellen Dillon, when he was a medical student in Philadelphia. She was an incredible spouse, mother, and grandmother. Unfortunately, Tom was widowed at a relatively young age. He then married Donna Dillon, who quickly earned her new family’s love and respect. Donna and Tom had 29 wonderful years together. Quite often, Tom emoted how blessed he was to have two wonderful women in his life. His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren could not agree more.
Dr. Dillon valued education and served for years on the School Boards at both American Falls and Caldwell. He was President of the Idaho State Board of Education where he steered the expansion of science and engineering to meet the technology needs of Idaho in the 21st century. He was quoted as saying, “Public education is what makes this country great”.
“Doc” Dillon did everything a family physician and military trained doctor had to do when specialists were few in rural Idaho. From delivering babies to treating trauma in the ER, he literally saved countless patients and enriched the lives of so many others. He volunteered to be Caldwell High School’s athletic physician while supporting and watching his two sons play. He was a stalwart leader in community health and education. The Idaho Statesman honored him as a Distinguished Citizen
Tom was an excellent and competitive trap shooter. His skills and leadership were recognized and rewarded by the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) when he was elected President of this national organization. He was also appointed to represent gun sports on the United States Olympic Committee.
He was elected into the Pacific International Trapshooting and the ATA Halls of Fame and was instrumental in the development of the ATA Youth Trapshooting Program. Tom enjoyed shooting trap with both Ellen and Donna. He taught his three children to shoot trap; and, Tom Jr. and Stew went on the be excellent at the sport. His daughter, Debra, preferred to spend quality time reloading shells with her dad before the competitions.
As an avid hunter and fisherman, Tom loved sharing these adventures with his children and grandchildren and always allowed them the first shot. Whether it was fishing in Alaska, or hunting in Idaho, he called these trips “memory makers”. He took up golf later in life and loved golfing with this wife Donna and numerous friends in Palm Desert, CA. Donna took up golf after marrying Tom and soon became his equal before going on to win most of their “dollar” bets.
Tom lived a long, rich life; and is survived by his spouse Donna Dillon, children: Tomas Dillon Jr. (Kay), Debra Ward (Clay), Stewart Dillon (Sheri), 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, his brother William Dillon and sister Karen Johnson. He was preceded in death by his first spouse Ellen Dillon and sister Mary Jane Maloy.
A celebration of life will take place in the spring of 2021.
To support Tom’s passion for public education, memorial donations may be made to the Ellen Dillon/ Dillon Family Scholarship fund by visiting www.cfeo.org (Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity) or mailing a check to CFEO, PO Box 122, Caldwell, Idaho 83606, noting on the check the donation is intended for the Dillon Family Fund.
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Pastor Tom Dougherty says
September 12, 2020 at 8:55 amMy prayers to this great family! I’m reminded of doctor Dillon often as he performed an emergency appendectomy the first week of my senior season and of course did a great job and I was on the court in two weeks. He was a great servant to the Caldwell community. My prayers for his dear family. May the peace of God rest with you all.
Ron & Lotus Dibelius says
September 12, 2020 at 1:22 pmSorry to hear Tom passed away. We tried several times to locate where you moved to so could enjoy some gin rummy games. Those were good times long gone. Our love and sympathy. R
CAROL R LIESE RODRIGUEZ says
September 15, 2020 at 9:15 amRest in grace and peace. I remember Dr. Tom when he was practicing in American Falls. He delivered my two children and was with our family through many illnesses and deaths. He was the man, not only a physician but a real human being. The Liese Family.
Jona Lagerstrom says
September 15, 2020 at 7:03 pmMy family is sad to hear of Dr. Dillon’s passing. Our love and sympathy. All our love. The Lagerstroms
Terry Woodby says
September 19, 2020 at 7:48 amDr Dillon was our family doc over 50+ years ago in American Falls. He has been in my memory all these years for saving my mothers life. I was just a young boy back then but I remember his words and confidence when he spoke. I ran into the doc at a gas station in Caldwell many many years later. I introduced myself and I’m sure he didn’t remember me, but he treated me and spoke to me like a long lost friend. RIP doc. You’ve been so much to so many.