Kenneth Matthew Dillon

The world got a bit quieter Sunday, April 28, 2024 with the passing of Kenneth Dillon, 53, of Wichita, Kansas. He was born May 2,1970 to the late James and Marilyn (Corn) DIllon at McConnell AFB (not WIchita!) Kansas, and he grew up in Derby, except for his 11th grade year, which he spent in Jacksonville, Arkansas with his Dad. It was that year he took an electronics class that really sparked his interest and shaped his future.

Seven weeks shy of his 21st birthday, Ken became a dad himself to William, chose to give up some bad habits to become a better father and at that point, he took up gardening and collecting Hot Wheels.

He supported his family mostly by driving a dump truck for KenCo Trucking. Driving pretty much anywhere in Kansas with Ken, usually included at least one “I helped put down this (road, parking lot, etc).” Then in December of 1998, he was hired at The Home Depot, helping to open their first Wichita store, and that’s where he met Kristina Smiley, who he later claimed, "Was the dark haired girl who had haunted his dreams since childhood."

They married on May 4, 2002 at St. Anne’s Church in Wichita. The date was chosen so when Ken received his birthday card/gifts, he would remember he needed to go buy his anniversary gift too. The following year, when they welcomed their daughter, Melina, Ken was a stay at home father for a short while. He loved bonding with his baby girl, but felt he needed to do more to provide for his family and decided to go back to school for HVAC. He drove a truck for Hayes trucking during the day, attended WTI at nights, and in his drive to succeed, he obtained perfect attendance in all but the final quarter, due to the arrival of his third child, Travis. In his new career, he worked for 5 years at Fenix Heating & Cooling with a quick 6 month break working for Honeywell installing smart thermostats.

While at Fenix, the pair welcomed their youngest child, Max. In 2010, he officially joined Scouts as a Den Leader, spent the next 10 years teaching kids, made even more friends and during this time, he seriously began adding to his chosen family.

In 2011, Ken started at Black Hills Energy. He was able to expand his knowledge to servicing all kinds of appliances and gas service and he really enjoyed the volunteer opportunities they offered helping at community events such as: the State Fair, Earth Day at Sedgwick County Zoo and the Viola Pancake Feed. It was through the 401(k) plan at Black HIlls that Ken was able to start playing in the stock market, an interest that he kept developing, and eventually he set up his own LLC to day trade.

In 2022, Ken went to work for the Goddard school system, learning more of the commercial side of HVAC. While he really enjoyed the position there, he hated the gas money he spent getting to work, especially after 15+ years of driving company vehicles. So in 2023, he joined Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #441 and began to work at the Waldingers Corporation. Again, he was able to expand his field of knowledge.

Ken always loved to learn something new. He tried skydiving when he turned 40 and loved it. He bought his own equipment, but never went after his second time. He took his love of gardening further by adding multiple vegetable gardens to the yard, trying grape vines and even fruit trees over the years. He built an outdoor covered patio complete with tv and sound system, so he could entertain friends, and indulge his exploration of different bourbons and cigars. He also loved snuggling on the patio with Kristy as they enjoyed their Christmas lights displays, bonfires or rainstorms.

As a pastime, in the last few years, Ken took up golf. Even though he wasn't very good at it, he enjoyed playing. He loved to ride his motorcycle, especially with Kristy on back and loved using his smoker to try out new recipes to share with all the people in his life. And because he loved a bargain, he spent weekend mornings checking Dillons and Walmart for clearance deals to share on one of his Facebook pages. He also loved to collect music, baseball caps, t-shirts, Kansas City Chiefs, Iron Maiden and AC/DC memorabilia, memes and family. He will be missed, however, may you continue to spread his legacy of help, love and laughter!

Preceded in death by his parents, James and Marilyn Dillon. He leaves behind his wife, Kristina Dillon; four children: William, Melina, Travis and Max; his two older brothers, Brad Dillon and Bret (Debra) Dillon; niblings Josh (Sarah) Dillon, Lisa (Ken) Bworggah, and Kristine Dillon; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Leslie Smiley; brother-in-law, Ken Smiley Jr; sister-in-law, Maria ( Kristopher) Goering; niblings, Kaleb (Tameren) McMullen, Sebastian Goering and Lita Goering; and numerous grand-niblings and cousins.

Ken also leaves behind his chosen family including: his “daughters,” Renay Hickman and Melanie (Carl) Larssen; “grandchildren,” Ellie Hickman, Kileah Britton, Nicholas Britton, Michael Britton, and Luke Britton. Other family members include: (mom) Linda Dennis, Matt Dennis, Shelley and Dale Hickman, Jon Britton and Deirdre Bixby, Brian Stupasky, Brian Salmon, Don Evans-Larkin, Theo Sot, Tyler Killgore, Jason Ford, Chris Weakly, Ach Bleakley, CJ Hopkins, Michael and Angela Mulligan, Ethan, Kaylee, Matthew and Joshua Mulligan and so many others.

A Celebration of Life for Ken will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 1PM at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 West Kellogg, Wichita, Kansas 67209.

Please help the family spread his legacy of help, love and laughter. Feel free to wear your favorite t-shirt in his honor.

Please help the family spread his legacy of help, love and laughter. Feel free to wear your favorite t-shirt in his honor.