Ron was born on March 4, 1933 in Lake Park, Iowa to Paul and Gladys (Anderson) Dillon. Most of his years growing up were spent in the Thompson, Iowa area. In his early high school years, Ron battled Polio and spent most of a year in a Des Moines hospital. After graduating from Thompson High School, the US Army put Ron in a clerk role in Korea at the end of the Korean conflict. At that time, nobody knew this role would be the first of many entrepreneurial positions. When he returned home, he married his high school sweet heart, Sharon Ryerson, April 23, 1955.
As a young couple they followed his career around Minnesota before settling in Spencer, IA where he and a partner bought his first legitimate business, Western Cashway Lumber at the North Y. The lumber business transformed into a manufactured livestock housing business that later became PCP Manufacturing. In the mid-1980s his consulting practice brought him to Kansas City where he eventually settled and co-founded a Merger & Acquisition company that he remained active in throughout his life.
Ron and his first wife were blessed with four biological children, in order of birth, Ralph, Rick, Nancy and Patti. The huge surplus of love within his family compelled Ron and Sharon to open their home to many foster children, some that continue to be part of the family he left behind.
In the mid-80’s, Ron became an amazing caregiver for his wife, Sharon, as she fought a 15 month battle with cancer.
He found his next love, Marjorie Sams, through a comical singles ad and they were married May 6, 1989. They loved to travel around the world and around many dance floors. Marjorie’s sons, Michael and Richard, became part of the growing love of the Dillon Family.
Ron loved to dance, play gin rummy, bridge and spend time with family. He loved the Lord and was a great example for those around him. He was very active at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer, IA and Holy Cross Lutheran in Overland Park, Kansas. He was a member of Rotary International, Kansas City Breakfast Club, Spencer Industrial Foundation and was instrumental in getting the first airlines into the Spencer IA airport.
Preceding Ron in death were his parents, Paul Dillon, Gladys Dillon Erickson; wife, Sharon Dillon; son, Dave deRegnier; son-in-law, Dave Woodin; Brother, Neil Dillon; Sister in Law, Theresa Sue Duell.
Survivors are wife, Marjorie Sams-Dillon; son, Ralph Dillon (Eva), son, Rick Dillon (Beth), daughter, Nancy Woodin; daughter, Patti Griffiths (Jeff); daughter-in-law, Jan deRegnier; son, Dan Matthias (Amy); daughter, Kristina Matthias; step sons, Mike Sams (Clare) and Richard Sams (Leah); grandchildren, Madison Kooker (Terry), Brian Kooker (Abby), Jay Dillon (Anna), Jenna Dillon, Jeff Dillon (Jennifer), Sharon LeClair (Blake), Jennifer Funk (Brian), Elizabeth King (Todd), Lindsay Pyle (Tim), Matthew Woodin, Adam Woodin, John Watts, Bailey Sams and 12 great grandkids, brothers and sister; Dale Dillon (Jan), Larry Dillon (Barb), Marlis Dillon (Vic), brother and sisters-in-law; Clarence Duell, Melody Fulton (Jim), Dorothy Bartholomew (Marvin), Jackie Dillon and many nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am on Thursday, September 27th followed by an 11:00am Funeral Service at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7851 West 119 Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66213. This will be followed by a luncheon.
