08/04/2022
Joe Tilton
Joseph Waylon Tilton was born on May 4, 1946 in Anderson, IN. His parents Ethan, a Church of God pastor, and Jewell Tilton moved to Oklahoma about six weeks after Joe’s birth.
Joe passed in Apache Junction, AZ on January 7, 2022 after an 18 month battle with a glioblastoma brain cancer. He and his wife, Connie, went to Phoenix to pursue a clinical trial hoping to prolong his life that he loved.
One of Joe’s favorite sayings about himself was, “I am not a one trick pony.” He certainly wasn’t! His list of accomplishments and life experiences are vast.
Most of his primary school experiences were in the Lawton, OK schools His family moved to Pauls Valley, OK so he completed his senior year and graduated from there in 1964. Cameron University, with a major in music, was his next endeavor. Service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era as a chaplain’s assistant stationed in Germany was his education in a real world situation.
For many years the next step was owning, operating, on air personality and engineer at his radio stations in Oklahoma. Another highlight was working for Chancellor Media in Dallas, TX where he covered Texas Motor Speedway for the network and hosted a daily NASCAR and IRL radio talk show. Concept/creative thinking made him a valuable member of the Broadcasters International Idea Bank, a group limited to 100 members in the world.
Other interests include body work and restoration of classic cars, mentoring his beloved Rodriguez family and taking guardianship of his “daughter” Juanita. Involvement in writer’s groups from Dallas to Lakeview was a source of pride.
He authored a promotion called the 69c Dollar, which went international and lead to coaching business owners worldwide.
Always believing service was important he was a member of many organizations and worked with a NASA committee to develop the Small Aircraft Transportation System. Other accolades include having a music group on the road for three years and produced several projects in Nashville. Publishing a book in 2020, Apocalypse, The Ultimate Battle for the Soul of Humanity, brought him great pride. Many of the ideas for the book came from studying with a professor for 9 years in Religious History and original languages of Scripture.
Membership in organizations include Kiwanis, Jaycees, CASA volunteer, Bikers Against Child Abuse, a Board of Education, organized Project Noel, Lay Speaker for United Methodist Churches, VFW, Montcalm County Veterans, Rotary Club, and various writer’s groups. Since his son’s death from ma*****na/alcohol in 2017, Joe joined four national groups battling the distribution of ma*****na.
Joe and Connie moved to Michigan in 2016, and he wrote for Lakeview Area News and especially liked covering court, the county commission meetings and Music in the Park. They both enjoyed being members of the Greenville Area Corvette Club after Joe purchased a “Vette.”
Joe is survived by his wife/partner Connie of 15 years, their dog Polly, brother, Marvin Tilton, McAlester, OK, cousins, Rebecca C. Bebee Mulvaney-Aragon, Belen, NM, Donna Moore Grissom, Aunt Mildred Moore both Wewoka, OK, the Rodriguez family with special mention of Juanita, stepson Ben (Holly) Gordon and Avery, three brothers-in-law, Greg (Delores) Johnson, Doug (Helen) Johnson, Marvin (Lisa) Johnson, many nieces and nephews, more dear friends than we have room to name.
He was preceded in death his son Jody Tilton in 2017, his parents Ethan and Jewell, Uncle Ernest Moore, Wewoka, OK, Marina Rodriguez, 14, murdered in Hollis, OK in September, 2006. He loved this little girl like a daughter.
Joe’s celebration of life will be held August 11, 2022 at Lakeside Park, Lakeview, MI with Bob Clingenpeel officiating. Visitation 3:00-4:00, Service 4:00-5:00, Lakeview Lions serving luncheon 5:00-6:00. Internment of Joe and Jody’s ashes at the Amble Cemetery about 6:30.
Donations in Joe’s honor can be made to https://everybrainmatters.org/ma*****na-advocate-journalist-joe-tilton/. Or the Lakeview Community Fund. Envelopes for both organizational will be available at the service. The service will be live on Connie Tilton’s page at 4:00 pm eastern standard time.
Seating provided or bring your lawn chair.
