Thomas J. Dillon

Thomas “Tom” J. Dillon, 75, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed over peacefully on Sunday evening, July 27, 2025, at Stonehill Health Center.

To celebrate Tom's life, friends and family may visit from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Leonard Funeral Home, 2595 Rockdale Road. Military Honors will be accorded by the Iowa Army National Guard at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Tom was born on August 30, 1949, into a large, Irish family nestled on Southern Avenue.  He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, class of 1967. He enlisted into the U.S. Army in 1969 and served in Vietnam.  He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After Tom's military service he went to work at John Deere Dubuque Works and retired after 40 years as an inspector in Production Layout.  Upon his retirement, he enjoyed music, golfing, playing pool, playing cards, and driving his yellow MGB with his buddy, Jeep. Tom was a jokester, he was mischievous, and he clowned around right up to the end, plotting his escape from Memory Care with another resident. He loved making people smile.

In 1973 Tom married the love of his life, Sue Ripperda (a Pointer sister!), and was her dedicated partner in life for 52 years.  He was a fantastic father and a loving role model and hero to two sons, Nate and Neil; and a fun-loving, doting papa to his only grandson, Sam.

Tom is survived by his wife, Sue (Ripperda); son, Nate; and grandson, Sam, all of Dubuque; his brothers Jim Dillon (Dubuque) and Jerry Dillon (Sarasota, FL),  three sisters-in-law, Karen Dillon (Dubuque), Donna Dillon (Dubuque), and Susan Dillon (Davenport) and many extended family members. Also surviving Tom are his wife's family:  Jerry (Carol) Ripperda (Sacramento, CA), Mark Ripperda (Bernard, IA), and Karen (Dan) Aldeman (Dubuque), as well as nieces and a nephew.

Tom was preceded in death by his son, Neil, in infancy; parents, Larry and Ann Dillon; his siblings, Peggy Dillon, Kae Edwards, Pat Dillon, Mike Dillon, Joe Dillon, Angie Dillon, and Susan Dillon; a brother-in-law, Dean Edwards; a sister-in-law, Connie Dillon; and his in-laws, Myron "Rip" and Ann Ripperda.

The family wishes to thank Jeremiah at Hospice of Dubuque and the caring staff at Stonehill.   Finally, a big thank-you to Tom's special friends Larry and Dinger for being there even when things got heavy.  May we all have such powerful friendships.