Jared Jon Tillson's Obituary
Jared Jon Tillson, 80, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed from this life on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at his home with family by his side. Jared was born on Valentines Day, February 14, 1943, Elgin, Illinois to his parents, Wilfird Trauger Tillson and Bonnie Ruth Eide Tillson. He was born at home, premature, weighing 4lb 2oz. He was placed in a shoe box and taken to the hospital, where he earned the nickname “Butch” due to his survival; this name stuck all through his life.
He attended Spirit Lake High School in Spirit Lake, Iowa, graduating in 1961. He later attended Estherville Junior College graduating in 1963 with an Associate in Arts degree. After the Navy, he attended Tulsa Junior College, graduating in 1978 with an Associate in Arts degree. While in college, Butch studied pharmacy, chemistry and art. His transcript shows he also took Chorus, making a B.
Jared met the love of his life, Marcia M Kinney, in Spirit Lake Iowa. They later married on August 29, 1965 in Bedford Iowa. Shortly after, Butch enlisted in the Navy and they made their home in San Diego and then Long Beach, California. After serving active duty in the Navy for 7 years, they made their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They raised two daughters: Virginia and Rebecca. Butch worked for Fibercast Company in Sand Springs, Oklahoma as a Chemical Engineer working in Quality Assurance. He retired in 2009. Butch continued in the Navy reserves for 15 years, earning final rank of Chief Petty Officer in his 22 years of combined service. Jared and Marcia were married for 57 years, before her passing in 2022.
Butch enjoyed restoring old cars and John Deere tractors, playing golf, reading, working on puzzles with Marcia, building advanced level ship models, woodworking, classical music, yard work, and Sci fi shows – Star Trek and Babylon 5. He had a dislike for Spongebob and Barney, probably due to his grandkids overwhelming like for them. He enjoyed going on vacations with Marcia and with his brother-in-law Joseph and sister-in-law Mary – many trips to Indiana and Hilton Head Lodge in South Carolina. He also enjoyed spending time with his sister-in-law Elena and husband Dave. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Someone once said of Butch, “He never met a car he didn’t like, unless it was a Ford”.
Butch is survived by his two daughters Virginia Strate and husband Steve of Tulsa, and Rebecca Lea and partner Bert of Claremore; two sisters Susan Livingston of Lincoln, Nebraska and sister Jane Starr of Montana; 7 grandchildren Matt Choate and wife Larah of Claremore, Brittany Bennett and husband Paul of Tulsa, Dreya Hubbard of Coweta, John Couch and wife Tiffany of Christiansburg, Virginia, Ryker Hubbard of Broken Arrow , Hannah Cabebe and partner Jasmine both serving in the U S Navy, and Beth Couch of Tulsa; 4 great-grandchildren Dameon, Areya, Conner and Tucker, as many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Marcia Tillson, by his son Erik Tillson, and by his parents, Wilfird and Bonnie Tillson.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Memorial services with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens.
***Services will be live streamed starting at 2:55 PM on Thursday, December 7, 2023. To view the service live, please click on the following link: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/95113
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Oklahoma Cancer Specialists Cares Fund in memory of Jared Tillson. The Cares Fund helps those that can’t afford cancer treatment. Donations can be made through the Cares Fund Web URL (https://ocsri.org/about/oklahoma-cancer-specialists-cares-fund/) or can also be mailed to our office:
Oklahoma Cancer Specialists
12697 E 51st St S
Tulsa, OK 74146
OCS Cares Fund Attention: Jason Ervin
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