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Allen Jere Tillery passed away on March 22, 2017 at the age of 92.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years Betty Janssen Tillery, his parents James H. Tillery and Erie Johnston Tillery and brothers James H. Tillery, Jr. and Robert E. Tillery.
Survived by sons Scott Tillery (Leana), M. Kelly Tillery and Jeff Tillery (Eileen). Grandfather of Matt Tillery, Alexander Tillery, Erin Tillery, Kate Tillery, Samantha Tillery, Sean Tillery and Madelyn Tillery.
Jere was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, worked in his father’s gas station and in 1943 enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps for service in WW II. The Corps sent him to language school and he served as a Japanese interpreter for the 22nd Marine Regiment in the Pacific war. He participated in amphibious landings and combat in the Marshall and Mariana Islands and wrote a fine book about his war experiences called “Well and Smartly Done.” After the war he studied at LSU where he met his future bride Betty, completed law school, married Betty and returned to her hometown New Orleans to start his law practice. When he hung his shingle in Arabi it was the first law office in St. Bernard Parish. He practiced law for 54 years and was an accomplished and popular public speaker. He served as President of the St. Bernard Parish School Board for many years, President of the Louisiana School Boards Association, Vice-Chairman of the St. Bernard Parish Home Rule Charter Committee and Chairman of the Board of St. Bernard Bank.
He was an avid reader, a student of history, a proud U.S. Marine and a gentleman to all who knew him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24, 2017 with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers donations to the United Way are preferred.
To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries.
October 2, 2017
Pat Cunningham
Dear Scott, and Tillery family, So heartbroken after learning That Allen had passed away . How can one begin to express the ways in which you felt about this Gentleman ? He was one in a million . I had the honor of spending time in his presence as he handled the successions of my mother, and father-in law, and also my late husband . He not only was the epitome of a kind and just attorney , but also became a true friend . He was a great comfort in a very sad time in my life . He was without a doubt, one of the finest gentlemen I have ever met . God bless your family .
April 6, 2017
Marilyn Kruebbe
Scott, Jeff, Kelly and Family:
I am so deeply heartsick to hear the news of Mr. T's passing. I was out of town in California and most certainly would have been at the funeral! I will never forget this "southern gentleman" and I'm glad I stayed in touch and would visit him often when I came in town. We had a special friendship, we shared books and sweet 'Old Fashions' together over the years and he taught me oh, so much!! I have always called him my "other father" & I so loved this man and loved working for him for 20 years. I know that he is now in the arms of his beloved Ms. Betty and that is where he surely wanted to be. Rest in peace you precious soul and I'll come visit you again someday if I make it to heaven. I know you surely made it there!!!
With my deepest sympathy!
Marilyn M. Kruebbe
April 3, 2017
Tim Thriffiley
Scott, Jeff and Kelly,
I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. He was a tremendous person, the most ethical attorney I've ever met, and a great human being. I always tell everyone that he taught me everything I know about practicing law. I was heartbroken when I just learned about this. Very sorry I wasn't able to attend the services.
March 28, 2017
Barbara A Bickerstaff
We saw little of each other after we were grown, but Jere was always a hero out there for me. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Barbara Allen
March 28, 2017
David Hays
Dear Tillery Family:
Please accept my condolences on your loss. I have directed the US Navy Japanese/Oriental Language School Archival Project, which was assisted by, and assisted, in turn, the efforts of Irwin and Carole Slesnick on their book Kanji and Codes. Through this project, I also contacted Cal Dunbar, Noel Leathers, Earl Ziemke, and Allen Tillery. When Cal worried that he was "crashing" the USN and USMC Japanese Laguage Officers' party, I advised him that if he and other Marine Enlisted Linguists were good enough for CPT Roger Pineau and Bill Hudson, they were good enough for us, aw well. They became longtime "subscribers" to our newsletter, The Interpreter. I have also worked with other scholars seeking to bring this hardy band of Marine linguists to light. Please let me know if we can be of service to your family.
March 24, 2017
Ron & Margaret Chapman
Mr. Tilley was a wonderful man and a great friend of our family. I personally enjoyed our conversations and his command of history. He made such contributions to our St. Bernard community over so many years and served his nation with pride. Hearing his experiences in WWII was a honor and reading "Well and Smartly Done" provided a personal view of the horrors of war. We will all sadly miss him and the grace and elegance that he displayed on every occasion. We share his loss.
March 24, 2017
Susan Eumont
My condolences to the Tillery family. I met Mr. Allen Tillery when I was seven years of age. My grandfather William Saunders had died and I came into some of his inheritance. Being a foster child since the age of seven and living with my aunt he was to oversee and handle my all my business. At the age of nineteen I married and shortly after that I wanted to buy a home and take over my inheritance. My aunt would not here of that so I contacted Mr. Tillery. He was so helpful. He was always kind and cordial when I saw him and helped me immensely in having the money put in my name (I guess). He never rushed me off but gave me his time when needed. The home I purchased was my family home for 23 years where my husband and I brought up our three children. I have never forgotten him and from time to time he came to my mind. May God be with him. Susan Saunders Eumont
March 24, 2017
Val, Peggy & Ann Dauterive
Dear Scott, Kelly and Jeff,
Your father was a special person in so many ways. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
March 24, 2017
Gary Mannina
Dear Scott and brothers,
So sorry to red of your loss. Prayers assured. A.M.D.G.
March 24, 2017
Donna Frichter
Dear Scott, Kelly & Jeff,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a wonderful man, and such a pleasure to work for. I learned so much from him at that law firm. Heaven has surely gained another angel. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
March 24, 2017
Art Darden
Jeff and family. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss.
March 24, 2017
Barbara Brink
Jeff,
What a wonderful man, and how lucky you and your brothers were to have such a dad. My sympathies to you and your family.
March 23, 2017
Margaret Tardo
Jeff and family, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. My prayers are with you and your family. God Bless Allen Jere Tillery, Amen.
March 23, 2017
Milton Moore
Dear Scott, Kelly and Jeff, Janet and I extend our sincere condolences for the loss of your dad, who lived such a rich, fulfilling and productive life. I am proud to have known him, having met when he came to visit at the DKE House, way back when. You three made him so very proud- the four of you a wonderful credit to our noble profession. His legacy is inestimable.
With love, and the peace surpassing all understanding.
March 23, 2017
Jody Lopez
Very sorry for your loss . I know he will be missed.Sincerely,The Lopez Family
March 23, 2017
Larry & Sandy Taffaro
So sorry for your lost. What a wonderful person. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with him on several community organization and knew your mom as well. He was a real gentleman. He will be sorely missed.
March 23, 2017
Dana Arcement
Dear Scott, Jeff, and Tillery Family,
What a beautiful obituary, written about an amazing gentleman's life. I will always remember Mr. Tillery and our time working together on various court cases and real estate transactions, throughout many years, at his St. Bernard Parish law office. He was such a wonderful attorney, father, and husband, for whom I had the utmost respect and admiration.
If I could speak to Mr. Tillery today, I would tell him these words, using some of the same, unforgettable words he once said to me: "You, Mr. Tillery, are the real 'Shining Star,' and Heaven is truly blessed now that you are there."
May God bless the entire Tillery family at this most sad and difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dana Arcement
March 23, 2017
Family, you have my deepest sympathy in the loss of someone so very, very special. My prayers are with you.
Carol Ann
March 23, 2017
William Treadway
Dear Scott,Even though I never had the pleasure of meeting your Dad,from what I have read he was quite a Gentleman.On behalf of myself and all of your Fraternity Brothers in DKE please know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers ITB Billy Treadway President DKE International
March 23, 2017
Thomas Hyler
Semper fi sir. May your family and friends find solace in the fact that the entire Marine Corps sends their prayers, condolences and thanks for your service to our great nation.Tom Hyler Jesuit class of 1979,U.S.M.C. 1979 - 1988
March 22, 2017
Gregory Noto
Mr. Jere, I will miss my coffee buddy. You and I were on the same side opposing all those right wingers. Enjoyed watching my Air Force dad and you share military stories at coffee, even though neither of you could hear much of anything. A true gentleman, a shining example of what it meant to be a lawyer. We all should learn from Mr. Tillery. God speed to you my friend. Greg Noto
March 22, 2017
Melanie and Richard Goodyear
Nothing but great memories of the entire Tillery family. Jere had a unique sense of humor and was an excellent story teller. He loved and truly cared about his family and friends and his hugs will be missed. Jeff, Scott, and Kelly were very blessed to have had such a strong role model and I know he has always been proud of you three and your families❤
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