December 31, 1932 – October 24, 2024
MANTEO — Jack Columbus Tillett of Manteo passed away on October 24, 2024, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC. Jack was born at home in Wanchese, NC, on December 31, 1932, to Margaret Midgett Tillett and Andrew Robertson Tillett, Sr. The whole world has celebrated Jack’s birthday with fireworks for 91 years!
Jack attended Manteo High School and excelled in athletics, including baseball, basketball, and football. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1950 and became a navigator, eventually reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. He married Lydia Love King in 1953.
Jack returned to Manteo to manage Andmar (Andrew and Margaret, get it?) Gas and Appliance, Inc., building the business while raising four children. At the age of 51, Jack sold Andmar and began a new career as a commercial fisherman. Jack never retired completely, continuing to deconstruct air conditioners and dumpster dive until his 90s. He was very frugal, buttoning only every other button on his shirts so they wouldn’t wear out too quickly.
Jack married Laura Dinwiddie in 1980.
Jack served as a Dare County Commissioner and as a Manteo Town Commissioner. He also served as Chair of the Dare County Democratic Party.
Jack was predeceased by his parents, brothers Ronnie and Gerald, sisters Jill and Tessie, his first wife, Lydia Love, and his daughter Cindi Louise Tillett Knighten. He is survived by his wife Laura, his brother Andy (Michele), his daughters Jacquelynn Tillett and Andrea Tillett McConnell (Tad), his son Kevin Michael (Carolee), and much-loved grandchildren Alex TillettSaks (Hanna Kaufman), Andrew Tillett-Saks (Asami Tomida), and Carrie Tillett-Saks. He is also survived by the light of his life, his great-granddaughter, Fidela Hikari Tomida of Bangkok, Thailand. He is further survived by four stepchildren. (The first letters of his children’s names spelled JACK, thank goodness they didn’t try for COLUMBUS!)
Everyone who knew Jack knows that it is difficult to adequately describe his true and complex essence. He lived his 91 years to the fullest, traveling the world alone and with his children, reading until the end, listening to bluegrass music, and arguing with everyone even when he agreed. He loved to gamble and played the slots in Portsmouth, Baltimore, Atlantic City, on his home computer, and of course Las Vegas. He was an amazing father and encouraged his children to experience life, to learn, and to explore. Jack was fascinated by people, their opinions, and their roots. Whether you knew him for years or met him once, he made an impression with his honesty and his playfulness. Jack lived on his own until six weeks ago and his memory was sharp until he passed. Jack will be missed by his family every day and holds a special place in the hearts of those who knew him.
His sister Tessie once asked his daughter Cyndi (age 5 at the time) if Jack knew everything, and Cindy summed it up perfectly—He say he do!
His daughters Jacquelynn and Andrea would like to acknowledge Jack’s brother Andy, who has provided Jack with loving and compassionate care for many years now, driving him around, shopping, and cleaning, but most importantly, listening to Jack because Jack always had something to say!
No ceremony is planned at this time.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
