Official Obituary of
Jerold Duane Dillavou
August 23, 1931 ~ June 27, 2021 (age 89) 89 Years Old
Jerold Dillavou Obituary
Jerold Duane Dillavou, 89, was born August 23, 1931, in Jefferson, IA, to Max and Bessie Dillavou. He passed June 27 with his family around him. He grew up in Ralston, IA. In 1945, they move to Bly, OR, to join family. He graduated high school in Bly and in 1951 he joined the Air Force. In 4 years, he worked his way up to be the youngest ever Staff Sargent. His career was spent working on B-36 airplanes.
He married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Hadley, on March 15, 1953. They lived in El Paso, TX, until he was honorably discharged in 1955, and moved back to Bly. Their son, Gary was born in 1957. They lived on Gerber Ranch for 12 years where Darlene cooked for the ranch hands. Jerry worked at the lumber mill in Bly and worked his way up to Superintendent.
In 1980, he and Darlene moved to Sabah Malaysia to build and manage a saw mill for Weyerhaeuser. He and Darlene made a good life in a tiny lumber camp, Silam, in the middle of the jungle and were loved and respected by everyone. They belonged to the Anglican church in Laha Datu and made many friends in the community. Their Amah (maid) Violeta Limod, was like a daughter to them and on their return to the US, she came with them. They traveled extensively in Asia, Jerry making many trips to Japan and other countries to negotiate for equipment.
In 1986 they moved to North Bend, WA, working as a plywood manager for Weyerhaeuser. In 1989 he worked at the mill in Raymond, WA, as project manager and retired in 1995. He moved to Pendleton, OR, in 1996 to be close to family. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He and Darlene loved to take care of them and took them on many adventures. They were very involved in all their school and athletic events. They loved him--he was their Papa.
He belonged to the Masonic temple for over 50 years and was a past master. His passion was golfing and he was a member of the Echo Hills Golf Club and golfed until he was 85 with his best friend, Pat Davis. He especially enjoyed travelling to Mexico with family and friends to golf. He loved to fish and hunt deer and elk with his hunting buddies. He was a member of the Free Methodist Church. He was involved in church and community events wherever they lived, and helped anyone in need. He loved to tell stories and could entertain folks for hours and get tickled again at his own stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jack, Rex, and Mike, and his sister Shirley. He is survived by his loving wife, Darlene of Pendleton; son Gary (Linda) of Pendleton; grandson Shane (Rachael) of La Grande, OR; twin granddaughters Katie and Nicole of Boise, ID; and great-grandson Kellen. Also, many nieces and nephews who call him their Uncle Pill, and he meant the world to them. His little poodle and constant companion, Cinder.
The family would like to thank the staff at DaVita Dialysis and Good Shepherd Home Health and Hospice for their care and support.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 6, at 11 am at Pendleton Pioneer Chapel. A reception will follow at 1 pm at the Pendleton Convention Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Outreach Food Pantry in Pendleton, OR.
He married his high school sweetheart, Darlene Hadley, on March 15, 1953. They lived in El Paso, TX, until he was honorably discharged in 1955, and moved back to Bly. Their son, Gary was born in 1957. They lived on Gerber Ranch for 12 years where Darlene cooked for the ranch hands. Jerry worked at the lumber mill in Bly and worked his way up to Superintendent.
In 1980, he and Darlene moved to Sabah Malaysia to build and manage a saw mill for Weyerhaeuser. He and Darlene made a good life in a tiny lumber camp, Silam, in the middle of the jungle and were loved and respected by everyone. They belonged to the Anglican church in Laha Datu and made many friends in the community. Their Amah (maid) Violeta Limod, was like a daughter to them and on their return to the US, she came with them. They traveled extensively in Asia, Jerry making many trips to Japan and other countries to negotiate for equipment.
In 1986 they moved to North Bend, WA, working as a plywood manager for Weyerhaeuser. In 1989 he worked at the mill in Raymond, WA, as project manager and retired in 1995. He moved to Pendleton, OR, in 1996 to be close to family. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He and Darlene loved to take care of them and took them on many adventures. They were very involved in all their school and athletic events. They loved him--he was their Papa.
He belonged to the Masonic temple for over 50 years and was a past master. His passion was golfing and he was a member of the Echo Hills Golf Club and golfed until he was 85 with his best friend, Pat Davis. He especially enjoyed travelling to Mexico with family and friends to golf. He loved to fish and hunt deer and elk with his hunting buddies. He was a member of the Free Methodist Church. He was involved in church and community events wherever they lived, and helped anyone in need. He loved to tell stories and could entertain folks for hours and get tickled again at his own stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jack, Rex, and Mike, and his sister Shirley. He is survived by his loving wife, Darlene of Pendleton; son Gary (Linda) of Pendleton; grandson Shane (Rachael) of La Grande, OR; twin granddaughters Katie and Nicole of Boise, ID; and great-grandson Kellen. Also, many nieces and nephews who call him their Uncle Pill, and he meant the world to them. His little poodle and constant companion, Cinder.
The family would like to thank the staff at DaVita Dialysis and Good Shepherd Home Health and Hospice for their care and support.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 6, at 11 am at Pendleton Pioneer Chapel. A reception will follow at 1 pm at the Pendleton Convention Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Outreach Food Pantry in Pendleton, OR.
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