Jery Wade Tillotson of Asheville, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2023 at Mission Hospital from a sudden illness.

After graduating from Denton High School in 1959, Jery then went on to graduate from Brevard College in Brevard, NC. He then graduated with a B.A. degree in Journalism from East Carolina. Shortly, after graduating from East Carolina, he was hired as lead reporter for Wilmington Star News. He was later hired as a reporter for the AP press in Charlotte, but the newspaper in Fargo North Dakota enticed him to come be their lead reporter. After two years there, the Montgomery Advertiser offered him the prestigious position as Entertainment Editor for the Montgomery Advertiser. For years, he loved the job, but Europe was calling. He hopped a freighter and lived all over Europe for a year. Upon his return, he worked for New York Life in Manhattan for 25 years. After retiring, he moved to Carolina Beach where he often worked as an extra for Screen Gems Studios. The most memorable show was One Tree Hill. He always loved Asheville and that's where he decided he would retire permanently.

Jery enjoyed a very colorful life. He was a very prolific writer who had written over 12 novels, two short story novels, magazine articles, and did consulting work. He received numerous awards for his outstanding merit in journalism, his coverage on the civil rights movement in Montgomery in the early 70’s, the lack of mental health resources in the deep south, wealth inequality in the south, and coverage of the AIDS epidemic in the 80’s.

His passion was always being true to his identity. He was a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, equality for all, empathic to the ones he saw struggling, and meeting diverse interesting people. “Beige is so boring,” he would often say.

He will be missed by those who took the time and got to truly know him.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Wade and Eleonor Tillotson, brother Robbie Tillotson, sisters Nancy Freeman and Jayne Bennett.

He is survived by brother Joe Tillotson and wife Kathy, of Redondo Beach, California, George Tillotson of Mt. Vista Nursing Home, and sister Jennifer and husband Daron of Denton NC, Nephew Seth Miller, Niece Aurleia Engelbretson and husband George, nephew Micah Miller, nephew Wade Tillotson, niece Claire Izackowitz and husband Jason, sons Trent and Logen, and nephew Mathew Bennett.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated for the Denton Public Library.

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