Tommy F. Dils

1932-2018 Tommy Fred Dils, age 86, of Belen, NM passed on Nov 27, 2018. He was born in Belen on Nov 26, 1932. Tommy graduated from Belen High School in 1950 and then earned a BS in Architectural Engineering from UNM in 1955. At UNM, he entered the Naval ROTC program and graduated a commissioned Naval Officer. Tommy trained at Chase Field Naval Air Station in Beeville, TX and received his Gold Wings at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. He served as a US Navy jet fighter/attack carrier pilot on tours with the Naval Squadron VA-151 on the US Navy carriers Bennington and Ticonderoga in the West Pacific. Tommy left the Navy in 1960 and returned to Albuquerque but he continued to fly for the Naval Reserve based in Dallas, Texas. After working for a local construction company, he formed Dils Construction Co. in Belen in 1961. In September of 1964, Tommy married a long-time friend, Joan "Joann" Keith. While Tommy & Joan raised their family of three sons, Cliff, Loren and Alan and their niece, Geri Lynn, Tommy also served as Assistant Chief Engineer for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (1967-1970) and was an officer at the First National Bank of Belen (1988-1995). Tommy continued to fly aircraft throughout his life. Over the years the Dils traveled, hunted, fished, played tennis and explored. They enjoyed getting together with family and friends. In the past few years, Tommy enjoyed keeping up with his grandchildren, often attending their soccer and tennis matches. He was involved in his community, loved to tell stories, and was known as an all-around nice guy. Tommy had faith in God and was a member and officer of the Presbyterian Church in Belen. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joan Dils; parents, Fred & Corra Dils; father & mother-in-law, Clifford "Coach" & Marybelle Keith; sister, Ruth Ellen & husband, Fred Huning; sister-in-law, Rosemary Keith Davis; and brothers-in-law, Charles Roehrig and Steve Keith. Tommy is survived by his sister Frances Roehrig & family; sons, Cliff Dils, US Forest Service, & spouse Connie Fulwyler; Loren Dils, UNM Athletics; Alan Dils, UNM Athletics, & spouse Dawn Myers; Tommy & Joan's grandchildren, Brenyn, Tanner, Ayla & Connor; niece, Geri Lynn & spouse, Gerald Sanchez & family; niece, Dena Davis & family; sister-in-law, Karen Keith & family; the Ruth Ellen & Fred Huning family and, many other valued family and friends. A Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 10:00 AM with services at 11:00 AM at the Romero Funeral Home Chapel in Belen. In lieu of flowers, Tommy requested that memorial contributions be made to the Loren Dils Donation Fund, directly to Alan Dils or at any Wells Fargo Bank Branch. Please visit our online register book for Tommy Dils at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N Main St, Belen, NM, 505-864-8501. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/JL25SX2XXYXG4KR3

Tommy F. Dils

November 26, 1932 - November 27, 2018