Tilman Lloyd Jones, 66, went to his reward on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Mountrail County Bethel Home in Stanley, ND, after a two-year battle with cancer.
Tilman “TJ” was born to Lloyd Jones and Caroline (Smart) Jones in Minot, ND.
He attended school in Palermo, ND, graduating in 1975. He served as a medic in the United States Air Force from 1976 to 1980.
After serving his country, he worked as a mechanic at several western North Dakota Ford dealerships and helped his father, Lloyd, operate the family farm before moving to Nevada in the fall of 1984. He found his niche in Austin, Neveda.
He also found love there, when he married Vicky Jolly in 1989. Tilman and Vicky worked together as EMTs and he took pride in easing people’s pains and fears and saving lives in the remote area where they lived.
He and Vicky also worked together in their motel and restaurant, and he often bartended in the bar adjoining the restaurant. Tilman ran a small engine repair shop in Austin.
He earned an Associate’s Degree while in Nevada and became a licensed Massage Therapist.
In 2003, when he returned to his childhood home near Palermo, he built his dream home on the north side of the farmyard he grew up on.
He continued helping people in his massage therapy practice in Minot until his health forced him to reluctantly retire.
Tilman loved driving and working on fast cars and motorcycles.
He gave his mother, Caroline a ride around the farmyard on the back of his 650 Bonneville Triumph, which was a highlight in her life.
He loved riding motorcycles, from ditch jumping on a dirt bike to cross country trips from Austin to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota and beyond.
Vicky loved to ride passenger behind him, and they rode together a lot in the United States and abroad, no doubt with Vicky urging him to go faster.
He is survived by his sister, Carol Ann Jones, Mandan, ND; devoted nephew, James “Jamie” Cluver, Mandan, ND; step daughter, Susan (Robert) Woolley, Austin, NV; step granddaughters, Shawna Mabe, Austin, NV; Alicia (Joel) Kearns and JoAnna (Ty) Kraft of Bozeman, MT; and Heather Armistead, Fallon, NV; 15 great step grandchildren and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Caroline Jones; and wife, Vicky.
There will be a public visitation from 1:00-5:00 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Springan Stevenson Funeral Home in Stanley, North Dakota.
Tilman’s Funeral Services will be Friday, September 22, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church in Palermo, North Dakota at 1:00 PM.
Pastor Rebecca Mangelsdorf will officiate. Interment will be at Rest Haven Cemetery in rural Palermo, North Dakota.
The Funeral Service will be broadcast, you can view Tilman’s service directly on his obituary page on our website www.springanstevenson.com.
Springan Stevenson Funeral Home of Stanley have been entrusted with arrangements and services.
Friends may sign the on-line register and give their condolences at www.springanstevenson.com.