Thomas Earl Tilley, obituary
Mr. Thomas “Tom” Earl Tilley, 90, passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife Iris and oldest daughter Kathy on December 14,2024, in Millersburg, Ohio. Born on October 9, 1934, in Durham, North Carolina, Thomas lived a full and accomplished life marked by hard work and devotion to his family, his country and his faith. Thomas was proud to be a patriot.
Thomas had an entrepreneurial career in a wide range of endeavors. He worked as a Zamboni driver at the local ice – skating rink before transitioning to the banking industry – a job that instilled in him a lifelong habit of keeping his cash and business records meticulously organized. Thomas owned and operated Tom’s Dry Cleaners and Koretizing, a mobile home sales lot, as well as multiple mobile parks. He helped several others to start their own mobile home park businesses. Thomas also was an Englander wood stoves dealer.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Thomas had a passion for farming and real estate. He owned many cattle and horses. He was successful in purchasing, developing and selling property. Thomas’s and Iris’s properties included vacation homes at the beach and in the mountains for their extended family’s use. Their children and grandchildren were especially fond of spending vacations at these homes over the decades. Thomas also loved playing Rook and other games, reading magazines and political literature and collecting cowboy hats and boots – always wearing them with pride.
Faith played an important role in Thomas’s life. He enjoyed attending church and was deeply inspired by Dr. Jerry Falwell and the Old Time Gospel Hour – the only television program he ever watched. A particularly meaningful experience was when Thomas, along with his wife, Iris, and daughter, Kathy, traveled to Israel with Dr. Falwell. That journey influenced Kathy, Becki, and Trish to attend Liberty University.
Thomas was a devoted husband to Iris Matthews Tilley for 65 years. He was a loving father to Kathy DeHass (Ted), Bruce Tilley (Marsha), Becki Falwell (Jerry), and Trish Barber (Brad). Known affectionately as “Grandpa Tom,” he cherished his 13 grandchildren: Tiffany Huffman (Tony, Lane, Luke), Stacey Ramseyer (Aaron, Lily, Owen, Bennett), Brodie DeHass (Allie, Starner, Iris, Mary), Thomas Tilley, Andrew Tilley (Anna, Ava), Joseph Tilley (Elizabeth, Wallace), Charity Pritchard (Justin), Daniel Tilley (Lauren), Trey Falwell (Sarah, Reagan, Claire, Nora), Wesley Falwell (Laura, Virginia, Wesley Jr., Eleanor), Caroline Falwell, Aaron Barber, and Leah Barber. Thomas’s legacy will be honored through his 13 grandchildren and his 16 great-grandchildren all named above.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Brodie and Ruth Tilley, as well as his infant brother, Wesley Tilley.
A visitation will be held on April 12, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Apex Baptist Church, located at 110 S Salem St., Apex, North Carolina. A Celebration of Life service will follow at the same location at 3:00 PM with the Rev. Macky Pittman officiating.
Thomas’s life was one of dedication – to his family, his work, and his faith. His memory will live on through those who knew him best and loved him most.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that cards be sent to Mrs. Iris Tilley at 6214 SR 83 Millersburg, Ohio 44654
I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Sending prayers, love ,and sympathy to the family.