Tillman McGuire, born December 20, 1925 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late MC McGuire and Nellie Roseberry, departed this earthly life February 23, 2020 in Hospice Care at Cypress Pointe Health Campus. He was the first of 13 children, “That Melba Street Crew.”
Tillman was a graduate of Dunbar High School, Class of 1945. He played basketball throughout high school. He served in the Army during WWII, and came back from Okinawa, Japan to marry the love of his life, Myrtle Elois Peterson on March 13, 1948. To this blessed union four children were born, Tillman “Ron”, Michael, Lynn Denise and Derrick.
He started his working career at GHR Foundry where he worked for 34 years and 8 months as a Maintenance Supervisor. He was also the assistant treasurer and loan officer at GHR Credit Union. After his retirement, he worked as a driver for House of Wheat Funeral Home, and in security at Sinclair Community College until well into his 80s.
While he worked, he also volunteered in the community. He was a past president and beloved coach of the First Dayton Little League and played basketball in a league for the Salvation Army. He was a 50-year member of Unity Lodge No. 115 Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, and Miami Consistory No. 26 Free and Accepted Masons where he was a 32° Lifetime Member and Past Potentate of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, Inc. No. 107. He was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church for over 15 years.
Preceded in death by loving wife of 55 years; sisters, Anna Allen, Mildred Sherrer, Beatrice McGuire, Sally Blackburn, Janice Nelson. He leaves to cherish his memory, four loving children, Tillman (Karen), Michael (Juan), Lynn Denise, and Derrick Sr. (Sandra); wonderful grandchildren, Fellis, Latasha (Sean), Duane (Kenya), Derrick Jr(Angela), Juan, Terrance(Kayla), Whitney (Nelson), Ryan and Madison; great grandchildren, Mekha, Tyson, Joshua, Taylor, Duane Jr, Kya, Mahlia, Dylan, D’mir, Andrew, and Audwin; sisters, Janie Williams-Washington, Joyce McGuire; brothers, William (Joan), M.C. Jr (Dora), Samuel (Rosalyn), Milton (Alice), Robert McGuire; sister-in-law, Gloria Andrews of Detroit, MI; special daughters, Antoinette Adkins, Judy Jackson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
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