Loye J. “Jack” Tilley, 85, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, September 19, 2009, at his home. His body has been donated to the University of Iowa for research. Services will be at a later date. Arrangements by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his children, Mike (Carol) Tilley of Bloomington, Indiana, Larry (Teresa) Tilley of Memphis, Tennessee, and Debra McDonough of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, David Tilley, Jenny Deckard, Lucas Tilley, Corey (Amber) Tilley, (Tina) Tilley, Sarah McDonough and Michelle McDonough; great-grandchildren, Josh, Tyler, Lexi, Brandon, Morgan and Mikayla; a brother, Lawton (Mildred) Tilley of Gainesville, Georgia; and many family members in Georgia.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eleanor; a grandson, Chris; two brothers, Jay and Jack; and his beloved yorkie “Tiger.”
Jack was born June 6, 1924, the son of Otho and Bessie (Schuler) in New Holland, Georgia. He served with the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. On February 4, 1946, Jack was united in marriage to Eleanor Ritter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She died July 21, 2006.
Jack worked as a millwright and retired from Penford Products after many years of service. He was a member of the Original Group and friend of Bill W for 46 years. Jack enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his great-granddaughter, Mikayla, who was his daily dose of comfort and inspiration.
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