James Tilley — 1940-2011
James Henry Tilley Jr., supportive and loving father, amazing and fun husband, fan of 40s music and the Chicago Bears, died in his Zephyr Heights home on Feb. 8, 2011. He was 70.
Jim was born to Louise and James Tilley Sr. on April 13, 1040, in the kitchen of their central Illinois home. He was raised with great love and pride, taking trumpet lessons at 5 years old and attending White Hall, Ill., schools. The trumpet lessons led to gigs in local bands, pit band playing for musicals and on the Admiral Steamboat in St. Louis, Mo.
He graduated Illinois College in 1962, taught for more than 40 years in Downers Grove and Aurora, Ill. He was a Science Department chairman and an excellent physics teacher, mentoring many students and new teachers.
After annual trips to the Rocky Mountains with family to camp and hike, Jim was convinced to retire out West. Tahoe was a real draw – casinos, mountains, fishing, music, shows and steakhouses. A smaller true community became an unexpected bonus. Here on the South Shore, he took art classes at LTCC, met many friends through South Lake Tahoe Senior Center bridge (and Edgewood Ladies Bridge), served as president of the Tahoe Douglas Senior Center and participated in Relay for Life.
His leadership skills, love of fun and friends and his organizing talents served his Illinois and Nevada communities through his career and 10 years of retirement.
We have all benefited from Jim’s 70 short years.
The greatest joys Jim had were his daughters Kate and Anna, wife Maryon and grandchildren Arthur, Jack and Alex. His one great heartache was the loss of his son Jimmie (James Robert in 1982. Jimmie is memorialized on the log at Wildwood Avenue Park. Jim recovered to enjoy life and family and traveling to the fullest.
Jim died looking at the snow-capped Sierra from his River Room which is decorated in a fly fishing motif.
We love you and miss you Dad, Hubby, great friend and talented teacher.
Two memorials will be at later dates in the Tahoe area and the Chicago area.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jim’s memory to:
• Tahoe Douglas Senior Center, P.O. Box 1771, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
• South Lake Tahoe Cancer League, P.O. Box 17962, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96151
• Barton Home Health, 2092 Lake Tahoe Blvd., CA 96150.
Maryon,
I recall at the Relay for Life, the look of pride and love on Jim’s face, as he commented, “She has more energy than anyone I know. She refuses to let me give into this….” He was blessed with a wonderful family and wife who truly loved him, because he was worth being loved. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. John & Jo Ann Costanza
Jim had a kind heart and was a wonderful and genuine man. I learned much from him in the short peroid of time I had with him. I will pray for him and strength for his family.
A good person leaves a large hole in the world when he’s no longer here.
Jim was a good, kind man.
I’m sure all of Jim’s family is feeling his loss.
Jim, Old pal we love you. I’m so glad we stoped to see you last summer. I have a great memory of sitting with you and listening to some great jazz. I enjoyed the moment with you. art
Jim will certainly be missed by many. His insight and his kind ways meant a great deal to us. Always hurts to lose such a great friend and neighbor.
Maryon,
God bless you. Will be thinking of you as you walk this painful road. Take time for yourself, that is what it’s going to take to heal.
Mr. Tilley, it is with great sadness that I learned of your passing. You are part of a formative core group of teachers my senior year at DGS (1991-2) who lit a spark of scientific curiosity in me that persists to this day. I am forever grateful for the intellectual inspiration (and ridiculous amount of fun) that occurred in your AP Physics course. I only wish I could’ve told you that in person.
Your life and career leave behind a legacy of generations of eternally grateful students, of which I am merely one. Rest well, you will never be forgotten.
Roman Litwinski, MD