Frederick Bradford Dillon Sr.

Frederick Bradford Dillon Sr. Brad Dillon, age 96, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at his home in Navarre Gardens Assisted Living Facility in Navarre, Florida. Brad was born on April 7, 1926, to John and Mary Dillon in Macon, GA., but he spent much of his childhood in Savannah, GA. He was in high school and working at a funeral home as an apprentice when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. He immediately joined the Navy and was sent to the Hawaiian Islands, where he was assigned to the 39th Seabees, attached to 4th Marine Division. Brad was also called on to serve as a cook during the war. After WWII he joined the Reserves and was called back to active duty aboard the Destroyer DD775 during the Korean War. At the end of WWII, he returned to Savannah where he attended Armstrong Junior College and met the love of his life, Gloria Oetgen. They married in 1946. They began a family and a life of travel and moving as Brad worked as a manufacturer’s technical representative in both the surgical equipment and telecommunication industries. Brad had a lifelong love of music and joined the Boy’s Choir at the age of 8. He sang with the Robert Shaw Chorale in Atlanta in addition to many church choirs, and was a member of the Pensacola Chapter of Barbershop Quartet. When he retired, he spent his time volunteering. During 10 years, from his 70th to his 80th birthday, he enjoyed working in the Gulf Breeze Hospital Emergency Room. He took his duties seriously and never wanted to miss a day there. During that time, he also served as President of the Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary. Brad wanted to be able to provide respite care for caregivers of patients with terminal illness, so he became a Covenant Hospital Patient/Family Support Volunteer. He spent many hours working with the IRS program for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) over the course of 17 years. During that time, he served as an Instructor and Coordinator for the program. If a family member or friend needed help with income tax preparation, he gladly offered his assistance. For many years he provided constant care in his home for his wife, Gloria, as she went through the stages of Alzheimer’s. They celebrated 64 years of marriage until she passed away in 2010. His faith has always been an important part of his life. From early childhood he attended church regularly and studied the Bible extensively. When he was no longer able to attend services at Gulf Breeze Methodist Church, he led Bible studies at the assisted living facility where he was a resident. As he said, “I’ve tried to be a good steward of what the Lord gave me to work with, be it my talents or time.” Besides his parents, Brad was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Oetgen Dillon, and his daughter, Pamela Dillon. He is survived by his daughter, Gail McGinnis, and his son, Rick Dillon and his wife Joanie. He is also survived by four grandchildren. Brad will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery on Friday March 10, 2023 at 11:30 AM with Navy Military honors.