J.D. Tillman, Jr., quietly passed away on April 29, 2020, at eighty-two years of age while holding his loving daughter’s hand. During JD’s extended illness, he had been surrounded by his loving wife, Margaret, his children Mark, Kevin, and Stephanie, and 5 grandchildren. J.D. was born in Mobile, Alabama on July 19, 1937 to Beatrice and J.D. Tillman, Sr. He entered the Air Force in 1954, at age 17, and rose to a rank of Senior Master Sergeant as a computer programmer during his 20 years of military service. He retired from the Air Force in 1974, and became a Civil Servant and rose to a rank of GS-15 as a Chief Programmer at Brooks AFB in San Antonio Texas. During his career he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. JD and his first wife Bernadine retired in 1994 and spent a several years RV’ing around the country before eventually moving to Huntsville Alabama to be with their children and grandchildren.
J.D. doted on his three children and five grandchildren. He always put family first. His life was a lesson in honesty, loyalty, hard work, generosity, respect, and unshakeable love. He was very involved in church activities, always volunteering, and was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights Of Columbus at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He enjoyed antique John Deere tractors, RV’ing, elk hunting, old cars, guns and clocks, and was an Alabama football fan, just to name a few. He always had a good story and always made you laugh. He had a twinkle in his eye and a slight grin that made you know he was up to something. J.D. had more than a couple of family nicknames, (Pungie, Poppy, Lolly). He was larger than life and was loved by all who knew him and will be sorely missed.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 49 years, Bernadine, his brother Mickey Tillman, his sisters Verna Jean Swann, and Jacqueline Anne Shields. Survivors include his wife of 8 years, Margaret; his children, Mark Tillman, Kevin Tillman, and Stephanie Frey; 5 grandchildren; Clark, Amy, Bonnie-Anne, Danny, and Kayla, and sisters, Sheila Ray Steward, Gwendolyn Yvonne Phillips, Shirley Rose Cannon, Jennifer Kristine Schiller, and Kimberly Gayle Hudson.
There will be a private graveside service. A Memorial Service will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at a time and date to be determined post COVID-19.
