Byron Donnell Tillmon

Byron Donnell Tillmon was born on February 8, 1967 in San Francisco, California to the late Jesse Tillmon and Carolyn Wilson. He is the youngest of three children. He spent his youth years in San Francisco where he accepted Christ into his life as a teenager and attended Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. In teenage years, he relocated to the City of Santa Clara with his mother and his late step-father, Samuel Johnson.

He attended and graduated from Adrianne Wilcox High School in 1985, where he played his favorite sport, basketball. He furthered his education by attending Foothill Junior College and De Anza Community College to pursue a career in Film/Media Production. He landed his job with Transvideo Studios in Mountain View where he worked with the Stage and Production crew. Byron’s fascination and interest in the law also inspired him to attend Lawton School in San Jose where he received his Paralegal Certificate. His passion in driving steered his career to a different path where he later became a professional Truck Driver.

Byron’s interest included the love of music from all genres, movies, and sports. He was an avid reader and in his pastime he read books (his favorite author was Donald Goines), magazines, poems, short stories, and the internet for research and current events. His love of sports, most specifically, basketball and football are one of many things that brought closeness and togetherness within his family. He was very adventurous and enjoyed driving around, “getting lost” as he would say it and venturing off to places he’s never been. He also cherished the moments of just being at home and leisurely hanging out with his family and friends.

Byron loved being surrounded by his family and every moment spent with them was precious. He met the love of his life, Mary Grail Somera in high school and they began dating a couple of years after high school. They were together for 33 years but only been married for ten years. Their union produced two children, their son, Breland and daughter, Jezarae. He adored his children and treasured being involved in everything they did and wanted to be a significant part of their lives. He was very devoted to his family and loved them unconditionally. He also loved his dogs, Koko and Toby. He was a comedian in his own way and would always say “Better to laugh than to cry”.

Byron leaves behind a number of family and friends of whom he loved dearly. He is survived by his wife, Mary Grail, son, Breland, daughter, Jezarae, mother, Carolyn Wilson, brother, Derrick Golden, sister, Terry Clark-Moore as well as many nieces, nephews, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Acknowledgment

The family of Byron D. Tillmon wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the sympathy, condolences, prayers, comforting words and all expression of kindness and concern during this time of bereavement.