The National Association of the Deaf mourns the passing of Thomas Jefferson Dillon III on February 13, 2019, at the age of 64 years. Known to everyone as Tom, he was well known in the New Mexico deaf and hard of hearing community. Tom was the son of Dr. Thomas Dillon who was the first deaf principal of the New Mexico School for the Deaf, and Tom served on the Board of Directors for this school as well. Tom was a Certified Public Accountant by profession, having earned his accounting degree from the College of Santa Fe and obtained his CPA license in 1992. He worked for the New Mexico Department of Revenue and Taxation for more than 25 years. Recently, he formed his own accounting and income tax practice called Taxes R Us. Also, in 2003, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson appointed Tom to the position of Executive Director of the New Mexico Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and he served in this role for more than four years.
Tom Dillion III
Tom always found time to serve different local organizations that serve the deaf and hard of hearing community. His involvement included serving as President of the New Mexico Association of the Deaf (NMAD), serving on the board of the New Mexico School for the Deaf, and assisting with the New Mexico Chapter of Self Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH, now known as Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).
The NAD deeply appreciates Tom Dillon’s service as Treasurer for our Board of Directors from 2002 to 2008. Former NAD President (2006-2012), Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins fondly remembers Tom, and said of him: “Tom had an uncanny way of drawing you into conversations through his twinkling eyes and a broad smile. He made sure we all were comfortable before or after board meetings. His quiet and unassuming disposition as a leader on national and state levels benefited us greatly, including by consistently giving the NAD his wisdom and knowledge as a board member and as a treasurer for six years. We shall miss him.”
Mark Apodaca, who preceded Tom as NAD Treasurer (1996-2002) and worked with him on many boards in New Mexico, says of his fellow New Mexico advocate: “Tom will always be remembered for wanting to do what is best for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and to improve lives of many Deaf and Hard of Hearing New Mexicans.”