Born in Visalia to Kevin and Barbara Tilley on March 30, 1987, he passed to eternal life April 6, 2002 at the age of 15.  He was raised in Visalia and later moved to Ivanhoe, where he attended Ivanhoe School.  He was a freshman at Golden West High School, where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball.  He loved to go fishing, golfing and dirt bike riding.  He was an active member of Grace Community Church in Visalia.

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  Survivors include his parents, Kevin and Barbara Tilley of Ivanhoe; grandparents, Clinton and LeIna Tilley of Visalia, Hank and Betty Bor of Visalia, Lydia Marie Taylor, Arnold and Amanee Tilley and Christine Young all of Visalia; one brother, Jared Tilley; two sisters, Amanda and Kaitlyn Tilley of Ivanhoe; and numerous aunts and uncles and cousins.

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  Graveside services were Monday at Visalia District Cemetery.  Arrangements were by Smith Family Chapel, Exeter.  Donations may be made in the memory of Jason to Cal Fed Bank, 1501 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277.

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A Special Tree
By Kevin Tilley  

 

Some trees are grown to give us shade.
 And others for their fruit to eat.
 Others for the wood they bare.
 To shelter us from the cold.
 Some trees are homes for birds, squirrels, and other creatures of this world. 

 

But there is one tree that stood straight and true for the entire world to see.
 God gave this tree some special fruits so all the world could enjoy.  Not a fruit that we could eat but one of many feats.
 Like a heart of gold, compassionate arms stretched open wide.  Laughter like no other.  And a smile that was contagious from a mile you could see.  

 

This tree we’ll never forget,
 Because of all these special things.
 But one thing is definitely true, 
 We’ll see this tree again. 

 

If I could be any tree of God’s great plan this is the tree that I hope I could be for all eternity.  So if we keep our eyes on God there is hope of seeing this special tree again that God had given to me. 

 

Forever thinking of you Jason
 Love Dad

Eulogy
presented by Pastor Jason Neese on behalf of Matt Hayslett.  

Jason:  My Best Friend
 Written by Matthew Ryan Hayslett

 

Jason and I first met on August twenty-fourth, 1992.  My mom and dad took me up to the kindergarten gate where Jason was crying.  I was also crying.  My mom asked him what his name was, “Jason Paul Tilley”.  From that day on me and Jason were friends.  After school we would go to each others houses.  We wanted to be cowboys just like every little boy in America.

 

 Jason loved John Wayne.  I can’t even count the number of his movies we watched together.  Jason was a special person.

 

 Among our other friends were; Jack Borbolla, David Benson, Sark Davidian, Michael Peltzer, and Michael Brase.  Jason was involved in many activities.  Indian Guides had to be one of his favorites.  At the lodge, our Indian Tribe, The Kaweah’s used to pound on the tables and shout for the food to be served.  We always liked having Jason in our tribe because he could yell the loudest.  When we were in second grade Jason used to tell me to drop chips on the ground.  I did and wasn’t sure what he was going to do.  Jason climbed under the tables on this knees on the dirty floor.  Jason picked up the chip and put it in his mouth.

 

 Jason had me do that quite often.

 

 Jason at Scicon during sixth grade was always ready to eat.  Jason was just a hungry guy.  Jason and I depended on  each other to be at school every day.  When one of us wasn’t going to be at school we would call each other to let each other know we wouldn’t be there.  Jason and I were in the sixth grade play.  Jason played Arnold the dwarf.  Throughout those years Jason and I got to be on sports teams.  Jason was gifted at all the sports he played.

 

 After sixth grade Jason and I were in Trailblazers.  A continuation of Indian Guides.  You had to have trust in one another.

 

 Everyone knew they could trust there friend Jason.  During middle school Jason got many nicknames.  “J”, and “TREE”.

 

 Throughout those years Jason showed many others what kind of TRUE friend he was.  You would never hear Jason put anyone down.  Jason was always an OPTIMIST.  Many people looked to Jason for advice.

 

 Jason was a great friend.  He was always there for me.  I just hope he thought the same for me.  Jason was like an older brother to me.  If I needed Jason he would be there in a second.  Many people had the privilege to get to know such a wonderful person.  Not a day went by when Jason didn’t have a smile on his face and a bottle of ketchup in his hand.  Jason’s big arms were always wide open.  I was fortunate to spend ten great years with my brother Jason.  Jason was my friend.  Jason is my friend.  Jason will always be my friend.  Until we meet again in Paradise.  My best Friend Jason Paul Tilley.

 

 Love is Forever,
  Matthew Ryan Hayslett