Raymond E. Dillon, 85, of Trinity, passed away peacefully in Suncoast Hospice on July 2nd with his family by his side. He was born August 21, 1938, in Mansfield, Ohio – the oldest of seven children. He lived across Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois before moving to Florida in 1986.
Ray attended St. Peter’s Catholic School in Mansfield, Ohio but transferred to Mansfield Senior High in order to play football – which would end up becoming a lifelong passion. He earned a football scholarship to Northwestern University and played under Hall of Fame coach Ara Parseghian. After getting married and starting a family, he left Northwestern his final year and transferred to Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He worked as a high school social studies teacher and football/wrestling coach until the family started to grow. He then transitioned into Corporate Human Resources until 1986, when he returned to teaching upon moving to Florida.
Ray met the love of his life, Jackie, through his sister Carole. They married June 17, 1961, and were married until her death in 2006. They had five children together – three girls and two boys.
His passions included, of course, football – playing, coaching, watching, and participating in fantasy football. He was a proud high school wrestling coach and was overjoyed when his nephew, grandsons, and great-grandson took up the sport. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, card games, computers/technology, and music. He had an extensive music collection that included anything from classical jazz to Johnny Mathis, The Beatles to Johnny Cash. Ray enjoyed drawing and painting in his younger years, mostly portraits. AND – not to be ignored was his enjoyment of debating (arguing?) with others over politics, of which his opinion was always the correct one.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Jackie, son Erik, brothers Bernie and Terry Dillon, sister Juanita Stanko, and parents Jerome and Bernadean Dillon. He is survived by his children Michelle (Frank) Rajzer of Plano, IL, Lisa (Kyle) Windhorn of Liberty Lake, WA, Jerome (Kim) Dillon of Cape Coral, FL, and Carla (Henry) Uhlenbrauck of Safety Harbor, FL; grandchildren Alexandra (Tony) Shaver, Kyle (Ashlee) Windhorn II, Shane (Kelly) Geiser, Hayley (Garrett) Roush, Hannah (Jake) Hermes, Bailey Dillon, Erin Dillon, Delaney Uhlenbrauck and Henry Uhlenbrauck III; great-grandchildren Logan and Lucas Windhorn, William Shaver and Vivian Roush; brothers Jim and Gerald (Gizz) Dillon and sister Carole Traczyk; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews (including great and great-great).
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