July 25, 1945 - December 8, 2021
Sunbury, Ohio | Age 76
Terry T. Dillon, age 76, passed away after a hard-fought battle with service-related cancer on December 8, 2021, in his home in Sunbury Ohio. He was the first son of six children to Taylor and Letty Dillon. Terry attended Mt. Sterling High School, Mt. Sterling, Ohio. In 1965 enlisted in the Air Force to be trained as a Firefighter/Crash Rescueman. He was stationed with the 1604th Air Base Group Bermuda, U.K. then subsequently deployed in 1967 to the 14th Air Commando Wing, Nha Trang Air Base during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Viet Nam National Gallant Cross ribbon with Palm. Thirty days before deployment to Republic of Viet Nam, Terry married the love of his life, Donna Jean Sigler and after deployment, returned to the states to continue his education in fire science and a family life.
Terry’s civilian career steadily expanded in knowledge and responsibility from apprentice Firefighter in 1969 - Fire Instructor, 1972, - Bomb Technician, 1978, - Advanced Explosive Investigations, 1985, to finally Fire and Arson investigations, 1986. Terry retired from the Columbus Bomb and Arson Squad with 35 years of service (Military and Civilian) January 2000.
While holding his firefighter position, Terry enlisted again but this time with the US Army Reserve Special Forces in 1972. Continuing his tactical Military Education with the 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne) required completing Army Infantrymen (11B) Basic Airborne Course, Combat Explosives Demolitions Engineer (12B), Special Forces Engineer Sergeant, (18C), Psychological Operations Specialist, (37F) US Army Special Operations Intelligence Sergeant (18F), Jump Master Course, Special Forces Senior Sergeant (18z), Long Range Reconnaissance Course. He progressed through the ranks from E-4 Specialist in 1972 to Command Sergeants Major in 1995.
Terry’s last deployment and culmination of an accomplished and decorated career was in support of Task Force Falcon KFOR 6-A (Kosovo) July 2004 to March 2005. He retired from his last assignment of CSM 37th Brigade Combat Team OHARNG, October 2005 with 40 years of military service.
Terry and Donna moved from Columbus to the rural area of Sunbury, Ohio where they had two loving daughters. There they built a house on a wooded plot and raised the girls in fresh farm air away from the congestion of the city. He enjoyed teaching the girls how to camp in the woods and going on fishing trips, later he would revisit the same adventures with his grandchildren.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/johnstown-oh/terry-dillon-10483052
