"Tiny" Grady Eugene Dillon Jr.

Hi...my name is Grady Eugene Dillon III. I am Tiny's son. My dad passed away Monday, September 4, 2023, of cancer.

I am on the planning stages of his memorial services. PGR is assisting with many of the arrangements and cost of my dad's honorary memorial. There will be two services; one in Arizona and the second will be a Pony Express from Arizona to my dad's hometown in Texas.

Tiny has touch so many people's lives!!! I have been getting countless calls, text messages, Facebook messages, etc... from so many. I appreciate hearing and reading stories about my dad. An example is of a voicemail I received, describing his kindness, support and patriotism, is as follows:

"Hello, I'm calling on behalf of your dad, Tiny Dillon. I am with The Blue Star Moms of the Southwest Valley. I wanted to tell you, how dear your father was, not only to those around him, but to everyone he extended an arm to. I can remember the day that my granddaughter, all of four years old, met him at an event that we did, honoring a veteran that lost his life to brain cancer. All she could think about was helping those, that showed up to pay tribute to this veteran. She walked up to your dad at four years old and offered him a box of Girl Scout cookies because of the fact he was tall, and he needed his energy, so he could do his job. She stood with him, holding the flag line and she kept looking up at him saying, "NEMA...HE'S NOT TINY, HE'S HUGE AND LOOK HOW HE HOLDS THAT FLAG WITH PATRIOTISM!" That meant the world to me. And to this day, she is now twelve, she remembers your dad. I will always remember your dad and all the events he attended, always being the first one there. As I would pull up, he would say, "good morning darling, or good afternoon darling, or good evening darling, thank you for coming out." He is a true Patriot, and we will never forget him. Thank you for sharing him with us." Again, this is just one example of multiple messages I have been getting.

At this time, I want to honor Tiny and give him the Celebration of Life Memorial he deserves. His wishes were to be laid to rest with his parents, in the town of Lone Oak, Texas. Part of this 1,033 miles journey will consist of a three-day ride from Arizona to Texas, which hotel accommodations, meals, fuel will be needed. Once, in Texas there will be the costs of burial. In addition, I'd like to provide refreshments and food for family members and The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR). PGR is the non-profit organization that Tiny volunteered for, to do funeral escorts and events honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders, and Honorably Discharged Veterans.

I would like to thank all the PGR members, Tiny's friends in Apache Junction and surrounding areas for all the condolences I have received thus far. I appreciate any monetary contributions to TINY'S final mission and motorcycle ride.