Colonel (Ret.) Alfred Marion Dillon

Colonel (Ret.) Alfred Marion Dillon passed away on June 21. Alfred Dillon was born on December 25, 1931, in Woolwine, Virginia. The family lived and worked their farm in the mountains of Virginia until 1940, when they relocated to what is now Eden North Carolina. Alfred enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17 and went through basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. One of Alfred’s first assignments was to Okinawa in the anti-aircraft artillery. He was later assigned to the headquarters personnel section for Japan. While there, he was accepted into Officer Candidate School. He graduated from OCS in Fort Bliss Texas and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Alfred married Charlotte Garst of Roanoke, Virginia in July of 1952. He was married to Charlotte until her passing in 2021. While stationed at Bolling Air Force Base (later renamed Andrews Air Force Base) in Washington, DC, their first daughter, Patricia, was born. Alfred’s second overseas deployment was to Korea at the end of the Korean War. Alfred then left active duty and returned to civilian life while remaining in the Army Reserves. He graduated from National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia and began work as an insurance agent for State Farm Insurance in Rocky Mount, VA. While in Rocky Mount, the family welcomed two more daughters, Carolyn and Sandra, and a son, David. In 1962 Alfred returned to active duty as a Captain. He was assigned to Fort Riley Kansas as operations officer (S3) of a battalion and promoted to the rank of Major. From Fort Riley, Alfred went to Vietnam in 1965 as part of the first major deployment of U.S. Troops to that conflict. He served as operations officer of an artillery battalion. After Vietnam, Alfred was stationed at Fort Sill Oklahoma as a staff and faculty member in the field artillery school and was promoted to Lt. Colonel. While at Fort Sill he attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and obtained his bachelor’s degree. Over the years that followed he obtained multiple graduate credits at various universities. Alfred’s next posting was to Fort Leavenworth Kansas to attend Command and General Staff College. Upon graduation from the CGS, Alfred was assigned once again to Korea, as commander of the northernmost U.S. battalion on the DMZ between North and South Korea. Upon his return from Korea, Alfred was posted to Bethesda, Maryland at the Concept Analysis Agency and promoted to Colonel. This top-secret posting was with the team developing the first enhanced radiation weapon, or neutron bomb. Alfred’s final Army assignment was to Fort Meade Maryland as staff officer in charge of administration and training of army reserve and national guard units in the first army area. While in the military Alfred was awarded many medals and commendations, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal. In 1978, Alfred “retired” to Clemmons NC. He first worked as Director of Army instruction for the Army ROTC in Forsyth County, then at East Surry High School as the Army Instructor of the Army ROTC. He later became Commandant of Oak Ridge Military Academy, where he led the school for several years. In 1992 Alfred became the first Manager of the Village of Clemmons after its incorporation. He was instrumental in leading the Village as it began serving its citizens, including the installation of water and sewer service, the improvement of city streets, and the construction of the Village Hall. After leaving his job in Clemmons, Alfred worked as a consultant to the Town Council of Midway North Carolina. Following his work with Midway, Alfred finally retired. He and Charlotte traveled extensively, to including a safari in South Africa, and trips to China, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Holland, and numerous other places around the world. Alfred loved gardening, hunting, and enjoying the great outdoors. Throughout his life and wherever the Army took him, Alfred was a member of the local Baptist Church, serving in leadership roles as a Deacon and lay leader. He was a member of Clemmons First Baptist Church from 1978 until his passing and served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher over many years. In 2014, in recognition of his service to the State of North Carolina, Alfred was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the Governor of North Carolina. Alfred was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years Charlotte Garst Dillon and his daughter Patricia. He is survived by daughters Carolyn Dillon and Sandra Dillon Yarnall (Richard), son David Dillon (Beverly), son-in-law, Jim Darcy (Patricia), two granddaughters Virginia Dillon (Keith Zukowski) and Kelin Dillon, and a brother, Alvis Dillon. Colonel Alfred M. Dillon made a profound impact on his community and helped innumerable people in a large variety of ways. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Colonel Dillon’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 28 at Clemmons First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM Friday at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Horne Creek Farm or to Trellis Supportive Care.