Derry was mercifully taken from us on August 18th, 2011, after a battle with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
He was born on May 18, 1944 in Visalia, CA to Ann Marie an Dudley Dillingham. The family moved shortly after to Sandpoint, Idaho and then later to Carson City, Nevada where Derry graduated from Carson High School. Derry entered the US Air Force after graduation and served on the flight-line in Thailand during the Viet Nam War. He later became a Journeyman Electrician and worked as an electrical foreman, running large commercial jobs until moving to Port Townsend, WA in 1983 where he owned and operated San Juan Grocery for a short time. His longest career was as a civilian employee at Indian Island in Port Townsend, Washington.
Over the years, Derry enjoyed working on the pit crew for Jerry Kunze's winning race team in Carson City, he raced dirt bikes, loved to boat and water-ski and was poetry in motion on snow skis. He also loved to dance! He enjoyed deer hunting, trout fishing at Pyramid Lake and bass fishing in the Ruby Mountains. He loved salmon fishing in the Puget Sound, golf, his Harley and his latest hobby his classic car.
He is survived by his loving wife Jo Dillingham, two daughters, Kelli Dillingham Parcher of Port Townsend, WA. and son-in-law Tom Parcher. Kim Dillingham Clabaugh of Reno, NV and son-in-law Rob Clabaugh. His stepson Mathew Radley of Port Townsend WA. His grandchildren Tayton and Tanner Clabaugh, Zac and Kaiden Parcher, Krysta Carmel and Kamryn Radley, more friends than can be counted, and long time friend and mother of his children, Sue Dillingham Carlson.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 28, 2011 at the Elks Lodge in Port Townsend, WA. For more information, contact Kim at 775-221-2864. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at www.alsa.org.