Edward Dillinger

FORT WORTH -- Edward Lee Dillinger, 87, retired chair of the Humanities Division of Tarrant County College, died after a prolonged illness Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. Memorial service: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the chapel of Holy Family Catholic Church, 6150 Pershing Ave., Fort Worth. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Vitas Hospice Care or a charity of choice. Edward Lee Dillinger, Ph.D. was born in Denver, Colo., on Aug. 11, 1920, to Adolf Otto Dillinger and Josephine Vernold Dillinger. Ed was educated in Catholic schools and graduated from high school in Lafayette, La. He joined the Christian Brothers and became an administrator and teacher in their schools in New Mexico and Louisiana. He continued his studies and received his master's degree in arts from St. Mary's University in San Antonio and his doctorate of philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. After leaving the Brothers, Ed was appointed in 1968 to be chair of the English Department at the new Tarrant County Junior College's (now Tarrant County College) Northeast Campus. In 1970, he was named chair of the humanities division, where he served until his retirement in 1986. He was a favorite professor and administrator, admired by the entire college community. During his retirement, he spent many happy hours at his computer writing his memoirs and other literary projects. His family wishes to express deep gratitude to the fine caring nurses and aides at Broadway Plaza Cityview and to Vitas Hospice who helped him during his final days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Irvin Dillinger; his sister, Helen Marie Dillinger; his brother, Harold Louis Dillinger; his nephew, Tommy Dillinger; and his half brother, Victor Gerber, his wife, Mary Lou Gerber, and their son, Edward Gerber. Survivors: His wife of 20 years, Marjorie Hankin Dillinger; sister-in-law, Teresa Dillinger; his wife's children, Janice Scott and her husband, Kenneth of Cleburne and their children, and Robert Wilkie and his wife, Tanya, and their children of Sunapee, N.H.; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Edward Dillinger please visit our Sympathy Store.