Obituary: James A. Tilley, 73, of Fairfield

From Lesko & Polke Funeral Home

James Alan Tilley, 73, of Fairfield, Connecticut, beloved husband of Mary Louise Hughes Tilley, passed away peacefully in his home on June 13, 2018.

In addition to his devoted wife Mary Lou, Jim's memory will be embraced by his children, Jeffery Myers and his wife Dahri, of San Francisco, CA, Alana Myers Gilhang and her husband Joel, of Dallas, TX, Katherine Tilley Sullivan and her husband Michael, of Weston, James Tilley and his wife Lauren, of Gilford, NH, Luke Tilley and his wife Micki, of Kennett, PA, Matthew Tilley and his wife Carrie, of Severna Park, MD; his cherished grandchildren, Connor, Tyler, Cameron, Patrick, Alice, Maria, Sam, Charlotte, Ellie, Susanna, Payton, Eli, Charlie, Mack, and Hayes. He is also survived by his brother, Herbert Tilley and his wife Carlene; nieces, Mandy Tilley Roane and Hattie Jo Roane. He was predeceased by his parents, Rufus and Eva Inez Smallwood Tilley.

A graduate of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Jim spent most of his career with Conoco. He first joined the accounting department in the Ponca City, Oklahoma headquarters, then moved with the company to the new headquarters in Houston, Texas. He moved up through the company working in overseas posts in Libya, Holland, Dubai, and finally to open a new office for the company in Moscow, Russia as the founding President. Additionally, he was the founding President and Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, hosting visits by President Bill Clinton and later by Vice President Al Gore. His final post was in Baku, Azerbaijan. Jim will be remembered by those whom he worked with for his exceptional leadership and communication skills.

Jim loved home improvement projects and anything that involved using tools. He has the most extensive collection of tools and power tools that one would have thought him to be a contractor. Throughout his life he completed countless projects including tree houses, sandboxes and swing sets for his children and grandchildren, decks and additions to houses. His largest and proudest achievement was a screened in gazebo overlooking the lake at the family home in Virginia.

While flowers are appreciated, the Tilley family would prefer contributions made to: The Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County, P.O.Box 489 Wilton, CT 06897.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Lesko & Polke Funeral Home here.