Henry L Dillon, Jr

Henry L. Dillon, Jr., age 92, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at The Clairmont in Beaumont, TX. Henry was born March 18, 1916, in Corsicana, TX, to Henry L. Dillon and Mary Elizabeth McMullen Dillon and the family moved to Beaumont 1922. Henry served as an instrument flight instructor in the Army Air Corp at Davis Monthan Field in Tucson, Arizona during WW II. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Doris Beutler from Oshkosh, WI, who preceded him in death in 2001. They moved to Beaumont in 1945 to begin married life and start a family. In 1946 he became a salesman for George Wilson Men's Wear and worked there until he retired in 2007.
His family and friends will remember him as one who set a good example as a life-long community volunteer. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the York Rite, a Past Master of Beaumont Lodge 286 AF and AM and was currently serving as an officer of the Lodge. He was also an active member of the Beaumont Founders' Lion's Club for over 50 years. Henry's spiritual life was important to him; he was a devout and active member of First Christian Church where he was baptized in 1924 and will be missed by all his church family. Henry loved his family and friends, his church and civic activities, his garden especially the tomatoes and dancing to big band music with Doris. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, and over the years he played, made 5 holes-in-one and was still shooting his age up until last year. He was a big fan of doing a job right the first time and set high standards for himself and others; any praise from him was well-deserved. Most of all he was a loving and loyal friend to many and if you were his friend, please know that he cherished your friendship and considered it among his proudest accomplishments.
Henry is survived by his daughter, Jean Dillon LeFebvre, and her husband, J. Paul Schoenfield, of Austin, Texas, daughter Patricia Dillon Stripling of Roswell, Georgia, and three grandchildren, Maggie Medellin, Henry Laighton Dillon III and James Farrell V. His brothers Carl Dillon and Wayne Dillon and many nieces and nephews also survive him. His family continues to celebrate his life, lived with faith and in God and Jesus Christ.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home, 1155 North 11th Street, Beaumont, TX. Funeral services will be held at First Christian Church, 5290 N. Caldwood Drive at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008. Guests may join the family for a fellowship reception hosted by the Bereavement Ministries Team at 10:00 a.m., prior to the funeral service. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Henry Laighton Dillon, III and James Farrell, V, nephews, Ronnie Dillon and Roger Dillon, and beloved friends Tommy Garrett and Charles Norman. The Scott Class of the First Christian Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. His Masonic brethren will conduct graveside ceremonies at Magnolia Cemetery following the funeral service. Condolences may be made to the Dillon Family, c/o Jean LeFebvre, 2104 Rabb Rd., Austin, TX, 78704. Memorial contributions may be made to the Texas Lions Camp, P.O. Box 247, Kerrville, Texas, 78209-0247 or to the charity of your choice.