James A. Tillman, Sr.

James Amos Tillman, at 94 years of age, passed away on June 12, 2016 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sugar Land, Texas. James was born on September 25, 1921 in Luther, Oklahoma to James Lawson Tillman and Delmar Arrington Tillman. James grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and graduated from Douglass High School in Oklahoma City in 1939. After high school he attended college at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. James joined the Army 366TH Air Service Squadron on May 27, 1943 and served 3 years in the military in World War II at the rank of Private First Class. He was the recipient of the WW II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, E.A.M.E. Theater Ribbon and earned two Bronze Service Stars. He was honorably discharged in 1946. James worked for 25 years at General Cable Corporation as a Machine Operator and retired in 1981. James married Mary Ann Thomas on December 24, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri. They were happily married for nearly 62 years. James was a member of the Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri. He enjoyed spending time with family, weight lifting, fitness and nutrition. James was an avid body builder in his youth and continued to walk 3-6 miles at Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri and lift weights until he was 91 years old. James was preceded in death by his three brothers, David, Naaman and Lisbon as well as both parents. James is survived by his spouse Mary Ann; his nine children, Debra Ann, James Amos Jr., Nancy Delmar, Gwendolyn, Anita Louise, Carol Ann, David Julius, Freida Lynn and Brian Earnest; their respective spouses as well as sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.