J.D. Tilghman

Jay Dee Tilghman, 49, of Iliff passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025 in Sterling. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Thursday, July 10 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Czech Slovensky Cemetery, Sunol, NE.

J.D. was born on November 3, 1975 in Sidney, NE to Gayle and Dora (Hernandez) Tilghman. He graduated from Caliche High School. J.D. enjoyed farming with his dad when he was younger. He later put his love for equipment to work as a heavy equipment operator in the oil fields.

J.D. enjoyed tinkering in the shop and working on pickups. J.D. truly appreciated the thrill of driving jacked up pickup trucks, dirtbikes, and anything with an engine. He was an artist at heart and could always be found drawing, sketching, and making art out of anything. J.D. had a heart of gold and enjoyed staying in touch with his many friends.

J.D. is survived by his mother Dora Tilghman; sisters Stephanie (James) Mitchell and Donelle (Chris) Harms; nephews Nevada and Chance Mitchell, and Dylan Harms; niece Adyson Harms; stepdaughter Brandi Vigil; aunts Connie Tilghman, Helen (Sam) Blake, Corinna (Arlen) Schmidt, and Christina (Les) Archuleta; uncles George (Monica) Hernandez and Dave (Carolyn) Hernandez; multiple cousins Brett, Nancy, Kenny, Debbie Jean, Sophie, George, Lila, Steve, Andrew, Rick, Holly, David A., Jarod, Jeffrey, Monty, Les Jr., Tracy, Kelly, Marty, Courtney, Kaylin, Shanni, and Julie; dear friend Brecken Harshbarger.

He was preceded in death by his father Gayle; son Brady (Evans) Tilghman; uncles Dean Tilghman, Rudy Hernandez, Richard Hernandez, and Benjamin Ramirez; aunt Martha Ramirez; cousins Greg Alcaraz, Yvette Score, Ernie Ramirez, and Corrin Koehler.

Memorials may be made to the Jay Dee Tilghman Memorial Fund care of Tennant Funeral Home, PO Box 1547, Sterling, CO 80751.