John E. Tilton, Jr.
Ridgeland
John Edward Tilton, Jr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed from this life on November 13, 2012, leaving behind scores of dear friends and colleagues, and a lifelong record of service to his country and his community.Born into a family legacy of military service, John attended Georgia Military Academy and The Citadel before completing his degree at Georgia State University in 1970. He enlisted into the United States Army that same year and spent over 20 years serving his country as a pilot and officer, both in the active Army and the Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. John received over a dozen decorations and service badges, including the coveted Bronze Star Award and the Master Aviator Badge. After an illustrious career in the military, John turned his service to his community through the Civil Air Patrol, where he held the rank of Colonel and served in a variety of leadership roles including Alabama Wing Commander, Southeast Region Commander, National Safety Officer, a member of the Board of Governors. John's exceptional skills as a pilot and a teacher were well known to colleagues and family, who were often heard to say "if it flies, John can fly it." His love of the air led him to pilot gliders, helicopters, prop planes, jets, float planes, and hot air balloons. He was a Certified Flight Instructor and a corporate pilot for companies such as Energy Helicopters, Magic Express Airlines, and The Southern Company, from which he retired. Over his military and private careers, John accumulated over 18,000 flight hours.Within this talented professional man lived a kind, gentle, and loving spirit who was at his happiest when he was helping and supporting others. Quick with a joke, John was equally quick to make everyone he touched feel special, valued, and unconditionally loved. In 2007, he met his soul mate, Becky, and after their marriage in 2008, devoted himself to their life together and love for one another. In today's world, it is rare to find what used to be called a "renaissance man" - one whose interests and talents are diverse and profound. John Tilton was such a man, as comfortable researching his family's genealogy as he was tending his roses. Everything about John was positive, patient, and uplifting, and his spirit was as light as the hot air balloon he so loved and piloted in his later years.
John's life and love lives on in those he loved and who loved him, including his beloved wife, Becky, his daughters, Allison Gale Tilton Clark (Ray), Natalie Anne Tilton Lloyd (Brandon), his son, John Edward Tilton, III, his stepdaughter Larissa (Lacey) Greer Bran Hughes (Heath), stepson, Gregory Joseph Brand, II, grandchildren, Layne and Shelby Clark, Niko Lloyd, Ava Greer, Layla Westyn Hughes, and Tabatha Baum, his sister Connie Bryant (Jack), nephew Johnny Bryant and niece Kim Bryant, brother in law Sonny (R.E.) Dyer, and mother in law Sara Ferguson. John was predeceased by his parents, John Edward Tilton, Sr., and Ruby Tilton.
A memorial service celebrating John's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at Raymond Road Baptist Church in Jackson, MS, with visitation from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Church. In keeping with his extraordinary life of service to country, family, and community, John's last resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to The Salvation Army of Central Mississippi, Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice .
Published in Clarion Ledger on November 16, 2012
Ridgeland
John Edward Tilton, Jr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed from this life on November 13, 2012, leaving behind scores of dear friends and colleagues, and a lifelong record of service to his country and his community.Born into a family legacy of military service, John attended Georgia Military Academy and The Citadel before completing his degree at Georgia State University in 1970. He enlisted into the United States Army that same year and spent over 20 years serving his country as a pilot and officer, both in the active Army and the Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. John received over a dozen decorations and service badges, including the coveted Bronze Star Award and the Master Aviator Badge. After an illustrious career in the military, John turned his service to his community through the Civil Air Patrol, where he held the rank of Colonel and served in a variety of leadership roles including Alabama Wing Commander, Southeast Region Commander, National Safety Officer, a member of the Board of Governors. John's exceptional skills as a pilot and a teacher were well known to colleagues and family, who were often heard to say "if it flies, John can fly it." His love of the air led him to pilot gliders, helicopters, prop planes, jets, float planes, and hot air balloons. He was a Certified Flight Instructor and a corporate pilot for companies such as Energy Helicopters, Magic Express Airlines, and The Southern Company, from which he retired. Over his military and private careers, John accumulated over 18,000 flight hours.Within this talented professional man lived a kind, gentle, and loving spirit who was at his happiest when he was helping and supporting others. Quick with a joke, John was equally quick to make everyone he touched feel special, valued, and unconditionally loved. In 2007, he met his soul mate, Becky, and after their marriage in 2008, devoted himself to their life together and love for one another. In today's world, it is rare to find what used to be called a "renaissance man" - one whose interests and talents are diverse and profound. John Tilton was such a man, as comfortable researching his family's genealogy as he was tending his roses. Everything about John was positive, patient, and uplifting, and his spirit was as light as the hot air balloon he so loved and piloted in his later years.
John's life and love lives on in those he loved and who loved him, including his beloved wife, Becky, his daughters, Allison Gale Tilton Clark (Ray), Natalie Anne Tilton Lloyd (Brandon), his son, John Edward Tilton, III, his stepdaughter Larissa (Lacey) Greer Bran Hughes (Heath), stepson, Gregory Joseph Brand, II, grandchildren, Layne and Shelby Clark, Niko Lloyd, Ava Greer, Layla Westyn Hughes, and Tabatha Baum, his sister Connie Bryant (Jack), nephew Johnny Bryant and niece Kim Bryant, brother in law Sonny (R.E.) Dyer, and mother in law Sara Ferguson. John was predeceased by his parents, John Edward Tilton, Sr., and Ruby Tilton.
A memorial service celebrating John's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at Raymond Road Baptist Church in Jackson, MS, with visitation from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Church. In keeping with his extraordinary life of service to country, family, and community, John's last resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to The Salvation Army of Central Mississippi, Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice .
Published in Clarion Ledger on November 16, 2012
John E. Tilton, Jr.
Ridgeland
John Edward Tilton, Jr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed from this life on November 13, 2012, leaving behind scores of dear friends and colleagues, and a lifelong record of service to his country and his community.Born into a family legacy of military service, John attended Georgia Military Academy and The Citadel before completing his degree at Georgia State University in 1970. He enlisted into the United States Army that same year and spent over 20 years serving his country as a pilot and officer, both in the active Army and the Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. John received over a dozen decorations and service badges, including the coveted Bronze Star Award and the Master Aviator Badge. After an illustrious career in the military, John turned his service to his community through the Civil Air Patrol, where he held the rank of Colonel and served in a variety of leadership roles including Alabama Wing Commander, Southeast Region Commander, National Safety Officer, a member of the Board of Governors. John's exceptional skills as a pilot and a teacher were well known to colleagues and family, who were often heard to say "if it flies, John can fly it." His love of the air led him to pilot gliders, helicopters, prop planes, jets, float planes, and hot air balloons. He was a Certified Flight Instructor and a corporate pilot for companies such as Energy Helicopters, Magic Express Airlines, and The Southern Company, from which he retired. Over his military and private careers, John accumulated over 18,000 flight hours.Within this talented professional man lived a kind, gentle, and loving spirit who was at his happiest when he was helping and supporting others. Quick with a joke, John was equally quick to make everyone he touched feel special, valued, and unconditionally loved. In 2007, he met his soul mate, Becky, and after their marriage in 2008, devoted himself to their life together and love for one another. In today's world, it is rare to find what used to be called a "renaissance man" - one whose interests and talents are diverse and profound. John Tilton was such a man, as comfortable researching his family's genealogy as he was tending his roses. Everything about John was positive, patient, and uplifting, and his spirit was as light as the hot air balloon he so loved and piloted in his later years.
John's life and love lives on in those he loved and who loved him, including his beloved wife, Becky, his daughters, Allison Gale Tilton Clark (Ray), Natalie Anne Tilton Lloyd (Brandon), his son, John Edward Tilton, III, his stepdaughter Larissa (Lacey) Greer Bran Hughes (Heath), stepson, Gregory Joseph Brand, II, grandchildren, Layne and Shelby Clark, Niko Lloyd, Ava Greer, Layla Westyn Hughes, and Tabatha Baum, his sister Connie Bryant (Jack), nephew Johnny Bryant and niece Kim Bryant, brother in law Sonny (R.E.) Dyer, and mother in law Sara Ferguson. John was predeceased by his parents, John Edward Tilton, Sr., and Ruby Tilton.
A memorial service celebrating John's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at Raymond Road Baptist Church in Jackson, MS, with visitation from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Church. In keeping with his extraordinary life of service to country, family, and community, John's last resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to The Salvation Army of Central Mississippi, Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice .
Published in Clarion Ledger on November 16, 2012
Ridgeland
John Edward Tilton, Jr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed from this life on November 13, 2012, leaving behind scores of dear friends and colleagues, and a lifelong record of service to his country and his community.Born into a family legacy of military service, John attended Georgia Military Academy and The Citadel before completing his degree at Georgia State University in 1970. He enlisted into the United States Army that same year and spent over 20 years serving his country as a pilot and officer, both in the active Army and the Army Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. John received over a dozen decorations and service badges, including the coveted Bronze Star Award and the Master Aviator Badge. After an illustrious career in the military, John turned his service to his community through the Civil Air Patrol, where he held the rank of Colonel and served in a variety of leadership roles including Alabama Wing Commander, Southeast Region Commander, National Safety Officer, a member of the Board of Governors. John's exceptional skills as a pilot and a teacher were well known to colleagues and family, who were often heard to say "if it flies, John can fly it." His love of the air led him to pilot gliders, helicopters, prop planes, jets, float planes, and hot air balloons. He was a Certified Flight Instructor and a corporate pilot for companies such as Energy Helicopters, Magic Express Airlines, and The Southern Company, from which he retired. Over his military and private careers, John accumulated over 18,000 flight hours.Within this talented professional man lived a kind, gentle, and loving spirit who was at his happiest when he was helping and supporting others. Quick with a joke, John was equally quick to make everyone he touched feel special, valued, and unconditionally loved. In 2007, he met his soul mate, Becky, and after their marriage in 2008, devoted himself to their life together and love for one another. In today's world, it is rare to find what used to be called a "renaissance man" - one whose interests and talents are diverse and profound. John Tilton was such a man, as comfortable researching his family's genealogy as he was tending his roses. Everything about John was positive, patient, and uplifting, and his spirit was as light as the hot air balloon he so loved and piloted in his later years.
John's life and love lives on in those he loved and who loved him, including his beloved wife, Becky, his daughters, Allison Gale Tilton Clark (Ray), Natalie Anne Tilton Lloyd (Brandon), his son, John Edward Tilton, III, his stepdaughter Larissa (Lacey) Greer Bran Hughes (Heath), stepson, Gregory Joseph Brand, II, grandchildren, Layne and Shelby Clark, Niko Lloyd, Ava Greer, Layla Westyn Hughes, and Tabatha Baum, his sister Connie Bryant (Jack), nephew Johnny Bryant and niece Kim Bryant, brother in law Sonny (R.E.) Dyer, and mother in law Sara Ferguson. John was predeceased by his parents, John Edward Tilton, Sr., and Ruby Tilton.
A memorial service celebrating John's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at Raymond Road Baptist Church in Jackson, MS, with visitation from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Church. In keeping with his extraordinary life of service to country, family, and community, John's last resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to The Salvation Army of Central Mississippi, Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital or a charity of your choice .
Published in Clarion Ledger on November 16, 2012
Gravesite Details
Interred March 1, 2013
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