Gerald R Tillman's Obituary
Gerald R. “Jerry” Tillman, 89, a 21 years resident of Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Jacksonville, FL went home to be with the Lord Monday, October 26, 2020. He was born June 29, 1931 in Jennings, FL. Jerry passed away peacefully with his wife, Valarie, by his side at Naples Community Hospital.
Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Flois Fishburn; father, James W Tillman; his step mother, Willow Tillman; and two sisters, Bette Tillman and Sue Templeton; and one brother, James H Tillman.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Valarie Tillman of Fort Myers, FL; two daughters, Josette Rethmel (Scott) of Jacksonville, FL and Amanda McCabe of Fort Myers, FL; eight siblings, Osie Bell “Micki” Tillman of Live Oak, FL, Cleon Phillips (Peggy) of Tallahassee, FL, Carol Phillips of Orlando, FL, Velma Cooksey (Fred) of Live Oak, FL, Frances Allen (Harold) of Live Oak, FL, Herman Tillman of Live Oak, FL, Libby Wheeler (Ralph) of Live Oak, FL and Lee “Bud” Tillman of Live Oak, FL; four grandchildren, Jacob Rethmel of Naples , FL, Payton Rethmel of Ocala, FL, Joslynn McCabe of Fort Myers, FL and Gerald “Little Jerry” McCabe of Fort Myers, FL; as well as many extended family and friends.
A Funeral Service will be celebrated 4:00 PM, Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 3:00 PM until the service time at the funeral home. Jerry will be laid to rest at a later date in his family plot at Oak Hill Cemetery, Live Oak, FL., with a Military Honors graveside service.
Jerry was a kind, loving and devoted husband, father and Papa. He grew up in the Live Oak, FL area and had 11 brothers and sisters. He loved his family dearly and will be missed more than words can express. Jerry lived a full and happy life and was loved by all who knew him. He enjoyed boating and fishing and was an avid Golfer.
Jerry served our country in the Marine Corp and then in the Army in the Korean War as a Corporal with the Corp of Engineers. He was honorably discharged in 1954. He graduated from Jones College in Jacksonville, FL
Jerry was a remarkable salesman with a warm Southern charm. He began a career with White Motor Company and became their National Distribution Manager traveling all over the US and Puerto Rico. Jerry eventually began a career selling construction equipment and worked with several large corporations. During that time he lived in Canton, OH, Atlanta, GA, New Orleans, LA and Jacksonville, FL. Jerry eventually started his own business, in Jacksonville, buying, fixing up and selling construction equipment (mostly cranes). He and two of his brothers also owned Tillman Brothers Crane Rental Service. Jerry also owned a neighborhood Tavern in Jacksonville called the “Chatterbox”. It was a popular bar and grill type place with live local musicians, games and pool tables.
Jacksonville is where Jerry and Valarie met, fell in love and started a wonderful 42 years together. They were married in Fort Myers Beach, FL in 1980. They moved to Fort Myers after Jerry retired in 1999. Jerry was a devoted, selfless and honorable man. He was a loving and protective Dad to their two daughters, Josette and Amanda. His family’s happiness and well being was so important to him. He felt his life was blessed with his Daughters and even more blessed with each of his 4 Grandchildren. He was so proud of them all and had a special relationship with each of them. Josette, Amanda, Jacob, Payton, Joslynn and “Little Jerry” please always remember that Dad/Papa loved you all dearly and was very proud of you all. He prayed daily for your health and happiness.
Jerry accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in 1982 at North Jacksonville Baptist Church. Our family is comforted in knowing that Jerry is with Jesus now and is at peace. We know we will all be together again one day.
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