Robert Arthur "Pickle" Dillon Jr.

Robert was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He shared 47 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Dorothy Ann Dillon. Together, they built a life filled with love, faith, family, laughter, and countless memories. Following Dorothy’s passing in February, Robert missed her deeply, and his family finds comfort in knowing they are together once again.

Being a father was one of Robert’s greatest blessings. He stepped into the lives of his two children, Harry N. “Chip” Blount and Patricia S. “Trish” Foster, chose to love and raise them as his own, and became the dad they could always depend on. He was proud of Chip and always enjoyed it when he and his family came in to visit. He treasured the time they spent catching up, talking, and simply enjoying one another’s company. Those visits meant more to him than words could say.

Trish shared an especially close bond with her dad and was blessed to care for him, accompany him to his appointments, and spend precious time by his side. Their relationship was filled with love, trust, laughter, and countless memories she will carry with her forever. Although the relationships he shared with each of his children were different and special in their own ways, Robert loved them both dearly. The love and guidance he gave them helped shape the people they became.

Nothing brought Robert more happiness than his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lovingly known to them as “Gramps,” he absolutely loved having them around. Whenever they weren’t there, he was always asking what they were doing and when he would see them again. Simply talking about them brought the biggest smile to his face. They were his pride and joy, and the love he had for each of them was immeasurable.

Robert was known for his wonderful sense of humor and playful spirit. He loved joking around, playing tricks, and telling jokes to everyone he knew—and even to people he had just met. He never met a stranger and could quickly bring laughter and a smile to those around him. His humor and the joy he shared will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

Robert was a 1966 graduate of Sherman High School in Seth, West Virginia, and went on to attend Marshall University.

Robert was a hardworking coal miner and skilled electrician who dedicated many years to the mining industry. Throughout his career, he worked at several mines, including Peabody, Lightfoot, Sundial No. 10, and Kessler Coal at Blue Pennant. He later retired from Pine Ridge Big Mountain Complex. He took great pride in his work and in the friendships, he made throughout his years in the mines.

Robert also worked at Flint’s Hardware in Sylvester, West Virginia, where he enjoyed serving the people of his community and forming friendships with those he worked with and helped.

He was also a dedicated member of the Whitesville Fire Department, where he proudly served as captain for a period of time. He valued the opportunity to serve his community and the friendships he formed through the department.

Robert loved hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He was an avid hunter in his younger years and looked forward to going away to deer camp with his brothers for a week each year. Those trips brought many stories, laughs, and memories that stayed with him throughout his life. During the summers, he, Dorothy, Trish, and Chip enjoyed taking family camping trips together. Those days spent outdoors, laughing and making memories as a family, were some of the most special times of their lives.

During the days of Big Bear’s triple coupons, Robert became quite the “extreme couponer.” He kept his garage stocked like his own little store, filled with discounted and free items he had carefully shopped for. He especially loved reaching the register and discovering that the store owed him money instead of the other way around. However, the greatest joy wasn’t in the bargains themselves—it was inviting family and friends to “shop” from his garage for anything they needed, always at no cost. Robert had a truly generous heart and found far more happiness in giving things away than in keeping them for himself.

Robert was a member of First Baptist Church of Whitesville, where he was baptized. His faith was an important part of his life, and his family finds comfort in knowing he is now at peace in the arms of Jesus.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Dorothy Ann Dillon; his parents, Robert “Cotton” Dillon and Clara Barker Dillon; his brothers, Timothy Paul “Big Tim” Dillon and Charles Dickens; his sister, Deloris Abner; his brother-in-law, James Kinder; his sister-in-law, Barbara Dickens; and Timothy’s longtime companion, Cindy Howell.

He is survived by his son, Harry N. “Chip” Blount and his wife, Brandy; his daughter, Patricia S. “Trish” Foster and her husband, Adam; and his loving sister and only surviving sibling, Debbie Kinder of Longwood, Florida, with whom he shared a special bond and many cherished memories.

He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren: Johnathan “Chip” Blount, Devynn Foster and his wife, Sarah, Adam Foster II, Jeremy Blount and his wife, Casey, Tyler Foster and his fiancée, Morgan, Justin Foster and his fiancée, Alivea, Angelica Blount, Jackson Foster and his girlfriend, Sophie Foutt, Ashleigh Blount, and Juan Jose Hayek.

He was a proud great-grandfather to Mason, Octavia, Miles, Asher, Kohen, and Kaisyn Foster, as well as his great-granddaughter, Millie Foster, who is expected to arrive in December and was already deeply loved by him.

He is also survived by several loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, as well as a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Robert will be remembered for his generous heart, his playful sense of humor, his devotion to his family, and the happiness he brought wherever he went. He loved deeply, gave freely, and could always bring a smile through a joke or one of his playful tricks. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and kindness that will continue through his family, and everyone is fortunate enough to have known him.

While saying goodbye leaves an emptiness that words cannot express, we are thankful that Robert’s suffering has ended and that he has been welcomed into his heavenly home. Our hearts find peace in knowing he is once again beside his beloved Dorothy, reunited after their months apart. We will miss his jokes, his laughter, his generous spirit, and the smile that appeared whenever he spoke about his family. His time on earth has ended, but the love and memories he gave us will be treasured for generations to come.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the Foster Family Cemetery, Seth, West Virginia with Ian Randant officiating. There will be no visitation.

The online guest book can be accessed at www.stevensandgrass.com.

Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden is in charge of arrangements.