Read James "Tom" Thomas Tillett Jr.'s Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

James "Tom" Thomas Tillett Jr.

Richmond, VA, USA

March 6, 1940 - March 1, 2021

Mar 6, 1940 - Mar 1, 2021

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James Thomas Tillett Jr. ( “Tom”) passed away on March 1, 2021, just days shy of his 81st birthday. Tom was born to parents James T. Tillett Sr. and Esther Gertrude McCollum Tillett, on March 6, 1940 on a farm in Timberlake, North Carolina.

Tom graduated High School in NC in 1958, and for the last couple years of HS, he drove a School Bus twice a day. Tom then enlisted in the United States Navy (USN), where he saw much of Europe, Asia, and Africa; aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVN-42 Aircraft Carrier. He was an Electronics Technician 2/Petty Officer Second Class when he left the Navy in 1962. He landed in the Chicago area after the USN, and began his professional career in electronics, which then led to the printing industry where he spent most of his career in sales. He also found time to be a Volunteer Firefighter for the Keener Township Volunteer Fire Department in DeMotte, IN where he lived for many years. After retiring from sales, he closed his career by...driving a School Bus. He enjoyed doing this for several years before leaving the greater Chicago area. Tom got a kick out of bookending his working years as such.

Tom was most proud of his children, Brian and Michelle, who both live in Virginia.

Some words from Michelle:
It’s hard to lose your biggest cheerleader. My Dad would brag about me to anyone who would listen. He used to say “If I stuck my chest out any further, I’d fall over.” There’s no doubt my career accomplishments would not have been possible without the hard work and sacrifice of this great man. He told me, “I’ll buy, you fly”.

Some words from Brian:
Dad never pushed me into anything, but I sure took after him in many ways. The military was his ticket to a successful career, and I followed suit based on his guidance. Dad loved firefighting, motorsports, Corvettes (he had three of them, and they HAD to be ALL red), as well as boating. This led me to pursue all of the above hobbies as well. I truly enjoyed telling him to sell his boat, because he could ride on mine anytime he liked; which he did from the Great Lakes to the Florida Keys.

In the summer of 2000, Tom met a wonderful special education teacher named Susan Heinz. They married on September 29, 2001. Following retirement, they relocated from the Chicago area to Goodyear, Arizona with their dog, Tia. However, the desert life was not for them, and they moved to Greenville, South Carolina in early 2019. Sadly, Susan passed away in March of 2020. Tom and Tia then moved to the Richmond, Virginia area to be closer to his children. Tom missed Susan every single day, and we are certain he is delighted to be reunited with her in Heaven. Tom passed away peacefully from complications of dementia and a stroke, with both of his children holding his hands.

Tom is survived by;
Sister, Bobbie Tillett Lane
Daughter, Michelle Tillett Castro
Son, Brian James Tillett
Stepson, Kevin Heinz
Several beloved Nieces and Nephews
Dog, Tia

He was preceded in death by:
Wife, Susan Heinz Tillett
Sister, Eleanor Tillett Roberts
Father, James T. Tillett Sr.
Mother, Esther Gertrude McCollum Tillett
Previous Wife, and Mother of his children, Patricia Williams Tillett

Working with BW White Funeral home in Virginia, and Brooks & White Funeral Home in North Carolina, there will be a private, family burial service at Mt. Tirzah United Methodist Church in Timberlake, NC on Saturday, April 10th, 2021. Tom was born ¼ mile from this church, and he will be interred beside the church with his parents, at a place that has always represented “home” for the family; again proper bookends.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome a donation to Mt. Tirzah United Methodist Church in Timberlake.
https://rb.gy/rh8guh
https://mttirzahumc.com/

An outdoor Celebration of Life will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, April 10th, 2021 in Wake Forest, NC.

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