Prescott Gladney Dillon, Jr.

HOMER, LA: Prescott Gladney Dillon, Jr, of Homer, known to friends and family as Gladney, died Monday, November 22, 2021. He is survived by the immediate family of his wife, Linda Kemp Dillon, his sons Scott of Bossier City and John of Athens, Scott's wife, Angel, their daughters, Allie and Taylor. His extended relations are Peggy Martin McNeil of Pensacola, Florida, and Danny Dillon of Athens. Gladney died of cancer related conditions after 5 years of treatment. Gladney Dillon was born July 23, 1942, to parents Prescott Dillon, born 1894, and Mattie Sherrill Dillon, born 1898. His mother died of cancer on Christmas Eve 1949 when he was 7 years old. His father died of a stroke in 1955 when he was 12. His sister, Edna Pearl, was born 1916 and died in 1975. He lived with Edna Pearl and her husband, Clarence Martin, in Homer from the age of 12 until he married Linda Kemp in January 1962. Gladney became a member of the First Baptist Church in Homer when he was 12, ordained as a deacon at age 21, and gave a lifetime of service to the church, serving as Sunday School teacher, chairman of various committees, and brother in fellowship for decades. In November 1962, he began employment at the Louisiana & Northwest Railroad at the Homer depot. In 1990, when the railroad was sold, he was promoted to Vice-President and General Manager. In such authority, as many short line railroads had already crumbled, Gladney took the L&NW to great success. Under Gladney's leadership, the railroad's value increased from $3.5 million when he was initially promoted to nearly $40 million upon its subsequent sale. He retired from the L&NW December 2002 after 40 years of service. Gladney loved family and his Christian faith above all other things. Having lost his childhood family so early, he cherished every moment with the family he made in Homer. He was a loving, caring, faithful husband, a model father, and a devout, sincere Christian who would treat anyone with fairness. He was well known for giving equal respect to all he met, whether wealthy and powerful or poor and hungry. It was his wish before he died that his obituary would pay tribute to all those who provided for him and taught him life lessons about work, integrity, business and finance, marriage, and fatherhood. Among the many are Clarence Martin, Fred Colvin, Robert Kent, Faye MacFarland, and Charles Kendrick. The family would like to say special thanks to the following, who were a tremendous help during Gladney's illness and death: Shelley and Michael Allen, Drs. Don, Mark, John, and Scott Haynes, Johnny Ramey, Priscilla Pitts, Regional Hospice of Minden, Danny Dillon, Peggy McNeil, Elbie Dickins, Nelson and Doris Philpot, Tommy and Linda Kemp, Steve and Louise White, Lana Pugh, Rusty and Elaine Gilbert, Brother Brian Thurman, and Mark Ware. The family would also like to extend warm regards to Gladney's pallbearers, Johnny Ramey, Brian White, Billy Owens, Tommy Bourne, Michael Allen, and Phil Brand. Services were held Friday, November 26, at First Baptist Church, Homer. Visitation began at 12:30 pm; the service began at 1:30 pm. Graveside was at Arlington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to make donations to either the "I love my church" fund at the First Baptist Church of Homer or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The family also sincerely requests that, due to Ms. Linda's health, please do not shake hands with or hug the family members.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110