James “Nevin” was born March 24, 1932, in Howell County, Missouri, to Alfred “Jack” Tilson and Vada Etchel Ledbetter. On July 20, 1950, he was married to his loving and devoted wife Imogene Fox for 73 years. Nevin and Imogene had a wonderful life together. He worked and retired from Cudahy Packing Co. in Wichita. In his youth he worked for his father-in-law, Ellis Fox, at his sawmills. Nevin liked to hunt and loved spending time at his camper at Bennett Springs State Park in Missouri where he fished and caught many rainbow trout. Preceding James in death were his parents, his brothers Irvin Tilson, J.B. Tilson, Enoch Tilson, and sister Kate Robinson. Also preceding are his half siblings Clarence Tilson, Oscar Tilson, Arthur Tilson, Sarah Robinson, and Artie Brisco. He is survived by his wife, Imogene Tilson, of the family home; three children, Ronald Tilson and wife Kay, Rhonda Maple and husband Gary (Houston, Tx) and Richard Tilson. Six grandchildren, Jamie Tilson, Jill Tilson, Clayton Maple (Andrea), Mike Maple (Amy), Cody Maple (Sara) and Eric Tilson (Christi) and nine great-grandchildren.
God saw that he was getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So He put his arms around him and whispered
“Come Home With Me.” With tearful eyes we watched him suffer and saw him fade away. Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, a determined spirit was at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the BEST.
We love you Dad,
Ronald, Rhonda, and Richard
