Larry James Tillman, 73, of Sapulpa Oklahoma passed from this life Tuesday, September 27, 2022. He was born on June 18, 1949, in Yale, Oklahoma to Erma Lorene and James Luther Tillman.

Larry was raised in Drumright, Oklahoma before moving to California in 1964. He married Susan Diane Barnhart on November 15, 1969. They were married for 52 years before her passing in August of 2021. They resided in Corcoran, California until relocating back home to Oklahoma five years ago. Together they raised two sons that loved and adored them both. Larry was very proud of his grandchildren, Dillon, Hannah, Sam and Grant.

Larry was a disabled veteran who served in the United States Army during Vietnam. He was Airborne of the 173 ^rd with special Ranger training, before being assigned to the 4 ^th Infantry after arriving in Vietnam due to the severe casualties in the 4 ^th Infantry. On May 31 ^st , 1969, at approx. 8:30 am, Larry led his troops up a mountain 15 kilometers south of Kontum City, South Vietnam to help soldiers that were in dire need of help. They encountered severe mortar and small arms fire which resulted in him becoming severely wounded. Larry continued the fight until all his men had been evacuated and the superior officer of the reinforcements ordered him onto a chopper at 4:30 pm. That day four men were not injured and the rest either died or were wounded. Larry has carried the names of those men that lost their lives that day in his wallet ever since. It was later determined he and his 100 men fought a battalion of 1,000 plus men that day.

Larry dedicated his life to his family and only asked that you do your best and never ever give up. He often joked that he could fix anything except a broken heart. He loved hunting big game and mentored many young men. Utah was his favorite hunting ground where he chased the elusive 30 inch plus wide mule deer. Just last month, he spoke with his grandson Grant about going on a buffalo hunt when he got stronger. He was an accomplished taxidermist and most of his proteges have big game mounts done by him, free of charge.

Larry lived his life on his terms and never wavered from that. He passed from this life the same way, surrounded by family smiling and waving. When asked if it was beautiful there, he raised his hand and made the okay sign with his fingers. Larry was Christian and knew there was a place in heaven waiting for him and he didn't want anyone to be sad. He always said, "When it's your time to go, it's your time to go".

He was preceded in death by his wife Susan Diane Tillman, Grandson James Dillon Tillman, Mother Erma Lorene Tillman and James Luther Tillman.

He is survived by his sons Jacob Doyle Tillman and Brian Luther Tillman and wife Denise Lynn Tillman; grandchildren Hannah Carolyn Tillman, Samuel Brian Tillman and Grant Mitchell Tillman; sisters Jewell Ross, Imogene Presnell, Glenda Stokes and Goldie Palmer; and nephews who were like sons, Bronson Shain Gomez and Jody Alexander Gomez.

Services will be 2:00 pm, Monday, October 3, 2022, at Traditions Funeral Chapel in Kellyville with burial to follow at Oilton Cemetery in Oilton, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral and Cremation Services, 35 S. Main, Kellyville, Oklahoma, 918-247-7373.