It’s now I have found out about his death but he will not be forgotten. He was a man of great intellect and compassion. My condolences to those who loved him, and especially  to his sons whom he adored.

My deepest condolences to the Tilghman family for the great loss you have suffered.  I knew Jerome through his political activity.  I always enjoyed our conversations as he was such an intelligent, kind and hard working person.  He will be greatly missed.


I have many fond memories of living on 46 Place N.E., and several was shared with my brother Jerome. One of note was standing on the corner singing under the streetlight with Jerome, Tyrone Williams, Gregory Jones and myself, along with whoever else wanted to join in. One of our favorites songs was "Old Man River" by the Temptations. We lost touch with each other after school, but I always knew Jerome would make a career serving our country because he was sooooo proud of wearing his ROTC while in High School, looking sharp walking up and down our street practicing his steps. I hadn't seen him since those days, but we reconnected online and stay in touch every month or so, keeping each other informed of the goings on. I'm going to miss those conversation!!! R.I.P. my Brother.

To a dear friend. You inspired me to become a teacher.  I’ll honor and remember you always. J. Rangel

It was a privilege to work with Jerome in the Democratic Party of El Paso.  He was a fine human being .

Annette Stone

"Tis the ancestors breath when the fire's voice is heard.
Tis the ancestors breath in the voice of the waters."

Missing the biggest Toys R Us Kid I’ve ever known. Number #12. Rest in Heaven Uncle Jerome Leander Tilghman

Thank you for being such an Awesome Role Model for the Community!     I can remember that Affectional Smile when you greet anyone and always was the one to brighten up a room.    Such a “Happy Person”!

When he died December 19, 2021, my brother, Jerome had two dogs, one of which was more than a pet. She was a sacred trust. Jerome took this dog, Buster (whose name seemed not to offend her femininity) from a soldier about to be deployed to Afghanistan. The soldier had tried unsuccessfully to find a home for her from neighbors and friends in El Paso, and the young man's last resort was to leave Buster at the pound. Jerome was at the pound that day looking for new pets. Hearing the soldier's story, Jerome promised to take care of Buster and give her back to the soldier after the deployment. The young soldier was killed in Afghanistan 2 weeks later. When Jerome died December 19, Buster remained a loved member of household.

Jerome wrote the following on Facebook on November 11, 2021,   Veterans Day. This brief narrative is a reflection on his story, our family story, and our times. In the wake of his death, it seems prescient. "To my big sister ... There is no greater dignity than to be embraced by your thoughts, words and sentiments. It was Dr King who once said that there is an 'inaudible language' that our hearts speak. Above reading and hearing your message, I feel it. As I press 'rewind' on the video images of my life ... there is good; there is bad ... and there is better. In this twilight ... I never thought I would even see 70 years. I had a spouse who gave us sons; I have siblings, who grew our family in many different directions; our nieces & nephews and their children are all who I think about when juxtaposed with my time in service. It was and remains my tribute to all of your lives.
My son, Jeffrey told me once ... ' Dad, you are who you are because you had sons.' [In] hindsight I think he is much more right than I thought. As I think back ... they are the byproducts of my parents, my siblings and our collective history. You, Joan Frances ... have so seasoned my life ... it made me more palatable for the rest of the world . Arthur was the first soldier I knew. When he first returned home I was the one who answered the front door. It was his example that I wanted to copy. As my life has been touched by so many ... I know too that I have touched lives. In summary ... what gives me comfort in my many moments of solitude ... is that ... I, like one percent of America, was groomed and moved to do a job so few would ever do, but so many will always depend on. In whatever measurement , thank you for being among the better parts of who I have become.
Much love,
your little brother"


Uncle Jerome was an extraordinary person.  Oh my goodness gracious, he was blessed with many gifts and achievements.  He was always the student and educator – always equipped with pen and paper to write down a thought, take notes, capture a metaphor or jot down a note, simply to let you know that he was thinking about you or encourage you.  He embraced the belief that “knowledge was power” and he shared his power with everyone, with every life that he touched.  Uncle Jerome was committed to learning something new each day or getting a new perspective; he was always about dialogue and reasoning together.  He had such a beautiful mind.  


Although I must say Uncle Jerome’s greatest achievement was loving and being Jonathan and Jeffrey’s dad, loving their wives and his grandchildren.  He was so very proud.  He often spoke in metaphors and one of the last ones that he shared with me was a request.  He said, “Please tell your Daddy that I was paying attention … and just like bumblebees … I shared some of his pollen with my sons.  See how they have grown.  Tell him … just like that.”  The request was accompanied by a picture of Jonathan and Jeffrey. 


As always, life is all about blessings.  In the days of old at the end of life, the father always gave his children a blessing.  However, Uncle Jerome lived life blessing people with knowledge every day and all the time.  In Uncle Jerome’s case, not only was he a gifted educator and blessed everyone with the knowledge he possessed, he encouraged everyone to pass knowledge on.  


Like everyone else, especially the descendants of No. 12, I miss Uncle Jerome every day.  I will forever remember all of the lessons that he taught me, and they were many.  Just as Uncle Jerome lived his life, I will remember that knowledge is to be shared.


Much love & respect to Jonathan, Noemie, Bianca, Ainsley, Jeffrey, Shelley, Madison, Jade and Carter.


Mr. Tilghman taught my daughter Demi Sepulveda and my grandaughter and grandson Avery and James Perez, at Canyon Hills. My first memory of Mr. Tilghman was when I first met him at teacher's conference.  He gave us brownies and he was so kind and polite. He cared alot for my daughter as he did for all his students. I remember sending him homemade brownies and boy did he love them. He always asked my daughter to bring him brownies,and she did.  He once wrote me a very nice note that  I still have , telling me how much he appreciated my daughter and what a good student she was  ,at the end  of the note, he asked me for more brownies ha , ha.  When my daughter went on to high school  I continued to send the brownies with my grandaughter. Although we had  not seen him in a while we often thought of him and the genuine person that he was. We missed him and now even more so. To his family I want to offer my condolences 🙏 may God give you strength to endure this great loss.

Noble Broussard and Family: 

 We would like to offer our condolences to the Tilghman family. Tilghman and the Broussard family go way back to the good old Chapel 4 days and the brotherhood choir. Tilghman was always one to teach and inspire. When he spoke everybody listened!! He will not only be missed and remembered by the Broussards but also by the entire El Paso Community and by the Chapel 4 Brotherhood chior as he sang his lead part of Silent Night along with many other songs as we sang all over Ft. Bliss and the city of El Paso. 

God Bless the Family

There are so many great memories of the time we spent with our Chapel 4 family. Mr. Tilghman was part of the family and we appreciate the time he spent with the family. As kids we don't always appreciate the dedication and support that our family shows but as adults we look back and recognize that our family shows their dedication by being present. We appreciate Mr. Tilghman's support and guidance over the years.

Jerome  was my friend and neighbor for many years. We first met at the Chapel Four Gospel service on Fort Bliss. We had a few things in
common, two of which was our love for cars and our large families.
Jerome always greeted everyone with a smile, a compliment and always something positive  to say to you.  He was very cerebral and
I learned a lot from him because he was the constant professor.
To the family:  know that he was loved by all those who really knew
him. I am proud to call him my friend.
Jerome is gone from our sight, but never our memories;  he is gone
from our touch but never our hearts.  Our heart is never ready and
the time is never right to say goodbye.  He will truly be missed.
John T. McGuire 


My deepest condolscences to the Tilghman family.  I first meet Mr. Tilghman at EPCC he was my government instruction back in the 90's. Years later our paths crossed again at Canyon Hills Middle School.  He would walk the halls singing  and stop to chat up the teachers,students and faculty with a kind word and a board smile. He was our campus cheerleader at all of the schools sporting events cheering on the students. Mr. T touched the lives of many students at Canyon. Rest in peace 

OBITUARY

Jerome Leander Tilghman

May 23, 1951 – December 19, 2021

Hillcrest Funeral Home

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