John R Tillman, Sr.

John is survived by his 4 sons John Jr., Mark, Matthew and Patrick (Leanna) and 5 grandchildren Nicholas, Grant, Zoe, Marina & Crosby.

John was born on March 26th, 1938 in Jacksonville Florida to John P Tillman and Lois V Tillman.

While attending Plant High School in Tampa, John met and began dating Susan E. Tillis. Following a short stint in the Army reserves, they were married on March 30th 1957 and began their family with the birth of their first son John Jr. in 1959.

John graduated from the University of Tampa with a BS in accounting in 1961. Their second son, Mark was born that same year. John and Susan grew their family with the birth of their third son Matthew in 1964. When John accepted a position with the Coca Cola corporation in 1968, the family relocated to Atlanta, GA. Their fourth son Patrick was born in Atlanta in 1970.

While in Atlanta, John frequently took the family camping and boating on Lake Lanier. He enjoyed this so much that he designed and had a home built on the lake and moved the family to Cumming, GA.

The family also enjoyed annual summer vacations at the beach and holidays in Florida with extended family. Eventually John and Susan decided to move back home to Florida in 1989, settling in Sarasota on Lido Key. John enjoyed living at the beach and spent countless hours on his sailboat in Sarasota Bay.

After Susan passed away in 2013, John retired and moved to Tampa in 2014 to be closer to family.

Friends and family will be gathering to celebrate John’s life at a graveside service being held on Tuesday, October 3rd at 11 am at Myrtle Hill Cemetery.