Frank Colman Dillon

July 6, 1932 – May 20, 2025

On May 20, 2025, Frank Colman Dillon passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 92 in Prairie Village, Kansas.

Frank was born on July 6, 1932, in Kansas City, Kansas, and was a proud lifelong resident—except for a brief time spent in California. He attended Wyandotte High School before his ornery spirit led him to enlist in the U.S. Army. However, his plans were cut short when it was discovered he was underage. Undeterred, Frank later joined the U.S. Navy, proudly serving during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955 aboard the USS Oriskany and USS Badoeng Strait. He traveled to Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines, often sharing stories of his service and boxing days with pride and humor. Being a veteran was a deep and lasting part of his identity.

Following his military service, Frank held various jobs before joining the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, where he served as both a dispatcher and patrolman. Frank had a lifelong love of the land—he enjoyed farm life, gardening, and raising animals including cows, chickens, goats, rabbits, horses, and sheep. He and his wife Juanita raised cocker spaniels, and he also bred coonhounds.

In his later years, Frank found joy in attending auctions, collecting baseball cards, treasure hunting and watching classic Western films. He was known for his quick wit, playful sense of humor, and elaborate April Fools' pranks—especially those sent to his brother Bill with cartoons clipped from the newspaper and personalized for laughs. Frank was proud of his 40 years of sobriety and deeply cherished his roles as a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He spent his final years enjoying the simple pleasures of spotting birds, deer and wildlife outside his window, and doting on his beloved cat, Putt.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, John S. and Mildred S. Dillon; his wife, Juanita; son, Frankie C. Dillon Jr.; brothers Orville Smith and Bill Dillon; and sisters Ida Dillon, Loretta Beatty, and Josephine Pruett.

He is survived by his loving daughters, Rhonda Gasaway (Kent) of Prairie Village, KS, and Renee Shinn (Tom) of Palm City, FL. He also leaves behind grandchildren Amanda Ramsey (Brian) of Stuart, FL; Mallory Crespi (Mattia) of Milan, Italy; Collin Shinn of Palm City, FL; Hannah Gasaway of Prairie Village, KS; Lacey Estrella (Taylor) of Fort Collins, CO; Grant Dillon Gasaway of Denver, CO; and Tommy Dillon Shinn of Jensen Beach, FL. His great-grandchildren include Reagan Ramsey of Jupiter, FL; Ocean Gasaway of Prairie Village, KS; and Romeo Crespi of Milan, Italy. He was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first great-granddaughter, Celia Paloma Crespi, who was born just days after his passing on June 27, 2025, in Milan, Italy.

A service with military honors will be held at Chapel Hill Cemetery Mausoleum, 701 N. 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas, on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at noon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity. Frank personally supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Our family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers who supported Frank over the last ten years—especially the VA staff, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and doctors. A special thank-you to Keelie and Ashley for all of their help, care and compassion. Your kindness meant the world to him and to us.

Breathe easy, Daddy. You're no longer in pain or on oxygen. You’re reunited with all of the family, friends you have been missing. Also, your dear cat Putt, whom you missed so dearly.

We will miss you forever.

Love, Your Family