A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Dec. 16th 2014 at Resthaven Memorial Chapel in Lubbock Tx. Located at 5740 19th Street, Lubbock, Tx. At Larry’s request he wanted a simple celebration of his life. Larry was Catholic. Father Peter, who is a close friend, will officiate his service.
Larry was born in Peoria, Ill., on December 20, 1936 to Lawrence Robert Tilton and Agnus Marie Turpin. He graduated from Woodruff High School in Peoria, Ill. He met and married the love of his life, best friend and soul mate, Regina Marie Truitt on April 14, 1956. They enjoyed 58 fun, loving years together. Larry and Jeannie had 3 children, Mike, Kathy, and Karen. They spent many weekends on the Mississippi River having great times with family and friends before moving to Texas. Larry enjoyed frying fish, which was delicious! He loved having get togethers to watch football, grill out, and drink cold beer with his family and friends. Larry was the life of the party and had an outstanding personality. You never had to guess what he was thinking, as he would tell you, and then some. He always dressed nice and looked like a million bucks. He enjoyed going to competitive shooting matches and had excellent marksmanship. He enjoyed airshows and all the different airplanes. He was very patriotic and proud to be American. He flew his flag everyday. Over the years, Larry and Jeannie enjoyed traveling, eating out, gambling, and visiting family and friends.
Larry joined the United States Army in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1958. After his military service he began working at the Iowa Ammunition Plant. He worked for the Atomic Energy Commission. At the closure of the plant he was transferred to the Pantex Plant in Amarillo Tx, in 1974. Larry became Security Officer of the AEC, then ERDA, then later to the Dept. Of Energy. He did consulting work for a few more years for the DOE, in Las Vegas, NV, after retiring. Larry and Jeannie traveled and lived in many places though his work with the United States Government. They met lots of good friends and had a lot of fun throughout their lives together. Larry and Jeannie eventually retired in Lubbock Tx, where they have lived the past 7 years.
Larry was called “Beeps” by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved them all and was always there for each and every one of them. His humor, guidance, and presence will be deeply missed and already is. Beeps instilled in all of us to make the right choices. We thank our Dear Lord for his love, devotion, and direction. Every conversation with Beeps was filled with opinions and advice, as we all know. He always wanted the best for his family.
After Jeannie passed away in May, Larry moved to Waco Tx, to live with his daughter Karen and her family. This was closer to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in HoustonTx, for his check-ups. Karen wants to thank her husband Mike; sons, Kasey, Rance, and Joey, for the group effort made by all to keep Beeps busy, happy and comfortable.
Special thanks to the Medical Staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor Scott & White Cancer Center in Waco and Providence Hospice in Waco. Also Dr. Roger Cowart, of Providence Internal Medicine, and Dr. Amy Talbert of China Spring Hillcrest Clinic. Although sick, Larry would always give them the buisness at his appointments.
Karen would like to thank JoAnn Walter and daughter, Sheila, Jimmie Owens, Charley and Judy Truitt, Jo and Bob Atwood and Cathi and John Stephens for their love and support through this difficult time.
He is preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Eva Tilton; his beautiful, loving wife, Jeannie; beloved son, Mike Tilton; favorite brother, Jerry Tilton life time friend and brother-in-law, Jim Selleck, and numerous family and friends.
Larry is survived by daughters, Kathy Gibson, of Amarillo and Karen Muns and husband Mike, of Waco; grandchildren, Thomas Tilton of Lubbock, Tx, Dakota Tilton of Oklahoma, Megan Willis of Colorado; Curry Gibson, LeAnn Gibson, and Truitt Gibson, all of Amarillo, TX; Kasey Nelson, Rance Ready, and Joey Wagner, all of Waco, TX. Great grandchildren Riley, Aiden, Kyler, Cason, Lilly, Nolan and Chloe. Brothers Tom Tilton of Florida, Shane Bronston of Illinois; sisters, Janet Selleck and Linda Riley of Iowa and sister in law Phyliss Tilton of Iowa.
Memorials may be made to M.D. Anderson, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, or charity of your choice.
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