Dillard W Dirks

Dillard Dirks went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 29, 2015, 9:50 AM at Chaparral Winds Assisted Living in Surprise. He was 91 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

Dad was born March 28, 1924 in Winton, CA, the sixth eldest of nine children to Frank and Lydia Dirks. The family lived in Winton, CA. thru the 30's and 40's. Dad met his future wife Helen Lancaster of Planada, CA during the early days of WW11 while Dad worked as a telegraph key operator for the railroad. They married July 22, 1945 in Merced, CA.

They moved to Stockton, CA for a few years before Dad's job took them to San Mateo and later Redwood City, CA in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dad worked for many years for Borden's Creamery. When they closed their plant in Burlingame, CA, he took a job with Peninsula Creamery of Palo Alto, CA. A few years later when the company stopped door to door milk delivery, he became an independent contractor. Dillard purchased the route and truck from the company, while Mom did the books and billing. After retirement they moved to Glendale, AZ where they resided for over 37 years. Dad took a custodian job with a local school district for several years before retiring for good.

Dad always took wonderful care of Mom due to her failing health over the past several years. He deeply loved Helen. They were longtime members of Westown First Southern Baptist Church. Both Mom and Dad always had fond memories of the friendships they developed at Westown.

All of Dillard's life, he loved horses. He always had a horse for his sons to ride, but Dillard loved riding the most. When he moved to Glendale, one of the first things he did was buy another horse! Since, he lived 5 minutes from Alan and Carole's horse property, he kept Skip there. He came over every morning to help feed all the horses, and clean stalls. When Tanya and Tracee each turned 8 years old, he took them for riding lessons on Saturday mornings. After the girls married, Dillard and Carole continued loving, caring and riding their horses.

Dillard was preceded in death by wife, Helen, of 70 years, both parents, brothers Burt, Forrest, Raymond and sisters Zelma, Irma, Geneva, and Monette. He is survived by his youngest brother Lawrence of Youngtown, sons Garland (Anne) Dirks of Orofino, Idaho and Alan (Carole) Dirks of Surprise. Grandchildren Brian, Michelle, and Jamie Dirks, Tanya (Randy) Watson, Tracee (Tom) DiCamillo, Troy Dirks and 5 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 7, 2015 at 11 AM at

Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 W. Beardsley. Viewing will be at 10 AM.

Pastor Todd Krombein will be officiating.

You are all welcome for a Celebration of Life Luncheon at Tracee and Tom

DiCamillos’s home, 18534 W. Denton Av, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340.