Tillman Cavert Jr.

Tillman Cavert Jr., 96, celebrated his homecoming in heaven on April 30, 2013. He leaves behind a legacy of accomplishment and a tremendous heritage for his family. An esteemed member of the Jacksonville community for more than 70 years, Mr. Cavert was born in Nashville, Tenn., in 1916. He attended Nashville public schools and Duncan College Preparatory School, where he was elected to the National Honor Society based on scholarship, leadership, service and character-traits that he continued to exhibit throughout his life. He attended Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., earning a Bachelor of Laws degree (L.L.B.) with an additional post-graduate year of study. He practiced law in Nashville before being elected the second youngest member of the Tennessee State Legislature in 1937, where he served until 1939. Mr. Cavert entered the military as an enlisted man, serving almost six years on active duty during World War II and achieving the rank of Captain. He was initially assigned to the Judge Advocate General's Department. Following Officer's Training School, and was accepted for pilot training in the U.S. Army Air Corps and later served as flight instructor to America's pilots, many of whom flew in the War. Following his instructor assignments, Mr. Cavert was one of only 20 pilots selected for a special mission: to transport highly ranked Army personnel and cargo to North Africa to stage the final strategies of the War. Mr. Cavert did so until the end of World War II. In 1940, Mr. Cavert married Ellen Josephine McGehee, a native of Jacksonville. After the War, the couple and their then two children moved to Jacksonville, where he entered the paper business with his father-in-law, C.G. McGehee. Mr. Cavert was Vice President of Jacksonville Paper Company and later President and Chairman of the Board of Calcasieu Paper Company, Inc. He also served as President of the Paper Bag Institute of America. He retired in 1971. Mr. Cavert would say that his highest achievement was his beloved family, but a close second to that was his classification and reputation as one of the world's most respected and decorated game hunters. He made his first big game hunt to Botswana, Africa, in 1969, and since then made more than 100 big game hunts across six continents. He hunted Africa 14 times. He took more than 500 big game trophies, more than 125 of which are classified World Class and are in the World Record books. His collection includes the Big Five of Africa (elephant, lion, cape buffalo, leopard and black rhino), all record class; the Grand Slam of North American Wild Sheep, all record class; Grand Slam of Dangerous Game of Africa; a number of species of Asian sheep and ibex; World Record mouflon sheep from behind the former Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia, and most all the species of Eastern Europe. Mr. Cavert founded the local chapter of Safari Club International and was recognized by SCI with numerous awards, including the prestigious Grand Slam Award and the Lifetime Hunting Achievement Award. Also a wildlife conservationist, Mr. Cavert believed hunters have a special obligation to protect our environment and aid in conservation. He stated, Who more than hunters are more sensitive and caring about the universal need to preserve what God has bequeathed? Mr. Cavert contributed generously to numerous wildlife preservation programs both nationally and internationally. He is featured in the Safari Press Big Game Hunting Book (1998), depicting the top hunters of the 20th century. In 1979 he established the Tillman Cavert Jr. Big Game Trophy Collection Wildlife Museum at his alma mater, Cumberland University, where many of his trophies are permanently housed and continue to provide educational opportunities in hunting and conservation. Mr. Cavert walked side by side for more than 70 years with his wife, Ellen. The Caverts' family describes their marriage as one of the great love stories of all time. He recently stated that he felt inordinately blessed to have shared life with such a wonderful Christian lady. He actively and wholeheartedly supported Ellen in her work as founder of The Women's Board of Wolfson Children's Hospital, an idea borne out of the loss of their granddaughter in 1972. In its almost 40 years, The Women's Board has raised more than $23 million, helping to make Wolfson one of the world's premier children's hospitals. Mr. Cavert was also an avid golfer, real estate developer and writer. His other civic, social and charity memberships included Founding Charter President of Jacksonville Sertoma Club International; Board of Directors of American National Bank; member of San Jose Country Club (50 years) and Blowing Rock (N.C.) Country Club (30 years); trustee of the Jacksonville Children's Museum (now MOSH); and 75-year member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. A dedicated Christian, Mr. Cavert was an elder at San Jose Church of Christ and chaired the building committee that designed and built its original buildings, and most recently has been a member of Southside United Methodist Church. He spent his later years hunting with his sons-in-law, grandsons and great-grandsons and spending time with his family, continuing his investment of character, integrity and wisdom-his invaluable legacy. Mr. Cavert is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years, Ellen McGehee Cavert of Jacksonville; his son Tillman Cavert III of Douglas, Arizona; daughter Ray Cavert (Mrs. Richard C. Martin) of Jacksonville; daughter Ellen BaBa Cavert (Mrs. Albert McCaffrey) of St. Simons Island, Ga.; daughter Grace Cavert (Mrs. C. William Nelson and wife of The Honorable Senator Bill Nelson) of Orlando, Fla.; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. His entire family deeply loved him and are profoundly feeling the loss of this man who was such a strong, principled and honorable patriarch and godly spiritual leader. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Caverts' home. A private family burial will take place Friday morning, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. at Southside United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Mr. Cavert's honor to The Women's Board of Wolfson Children's Hospital. Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel is serving the family.