Raymond Allen Tilghman Obituary

Raymond Allen Tilghman, 92, passed away Monday, August 14, 2017 in Athens, Georgia.

Raymond was born June 9, 1925 in Sidney to William and Mary (Sukovaty) Tilghman. He was a long time resident of Crook, Colorado; living on the family farm from the age of three until his later years when he moved to Athens, Georgia.

Raymond served in the U. S. Army Infantry division as a mechanic and military police.

He met Mary Schneider at a barn dance; introduced by a family friend. They married January 29, 1950 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2000. Mary passed away two months later.

They were Czech dancers performing on television, parades and various functions along with Melvin and Margaret Kokes, Donald and Lorraine Lafler and Fred and Frances Kilgore. Not only did he like to dance in competition, he also enjoyed dancing with the family in the house. He would put the music on and away we went! Raymond was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed going to their dances with friends and neighbors.

He loved motorcycles, starting out with dirt bikes riding in pastures chasing antelope and rabbits jumping over sand draws and coming home with interesting injuries. Later on Raymond and Mary took up motorcycle touring with their friends.

Raymond was a dry land farmer and raised cattle until his retirement. His nephew, Gayle Tilghman, continues to run the family farm.

An avid golfer; he shot a hole-in-one on the Crook Golf Course.

Having a great sense of humor, he liked to play practical jokes on others especially liking when they one-upped him.

Survivors are three daughters: Katie O'Shea and her partner Erik Gruenwedel of Athens, Georgia, Janet Conner and her husband Curtis of El Dorado Hills, California, and Tammy Bates and her husband Phil of Meridian, Idaho. Three grandchildren: Alyssa Samms and her husband Brian of Citrus Heights, California; Alex Conner and his wife Tracey of El Dorado Hills, California, and Ellie Bates of Meridian, Idaho. One sister-in-law: Anna Fay Tilghman of Riverton, Wyoming. Along with many nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; four brothers; Steve, Lloyd, Kenneth and William and son-in-law, Michael O'Shea.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC in Sidney, Nebraska is in charge of cremation services. A celebration of life service will be arranged at a later date.