David Carol Tillery, 1944-2023

David Carol Tillery was born February 24, 1944, and passed peacefully at 2:12 a.m. on May 10, 2023.  David was born to Cleo G. and Gladys Lillian Raburn Tillery in San Angelo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Cleo Tillery, Jr. and Leon Tillery, and his sisters Lillian Tillery Linebarger and Anna Louise Tillery.He is survived by his daughter, Natalie Lea Tillery of Austin. He is also survived by his last sibling, Linda Kathaleen Tillery of San Angelo. Accompanying our loss is many nieces, nephews, and cousins from San Angelo to the DFW area to New Mexico.  He is also survived by his long-time companion, Priscilla Nicholson.

David was a member of the National Guard where he drove a tank. In the early 1960's, he played bass guitar for the Persuaders where he was a part of the battle of the bands at the San Angelo Coliseum and a dance hall in Rowena. His spirit lead him to racing cars when young. He had an old Chevelle he fixed up along with a rail racing car he would park in his mother's driveway. He would race at the O.C. Fisher Lake. The family Ford truck even found its way at the Wall racetrack without him getting caught by his parents.

David worked as a photographer for the San Angelo Standard Times, the Duncanville Focus Dailey News, and the Dallas Morning News. He worked for the Dallas Morning News for about 6 years where he started the imaging department and was the department manager. Always behind the camera and never in front of the camera, he captured generations of family photos, sporting events and community photos--but not many of himself. Later in his life he owned and operated Mind Time Communications, mixing music and videos for local bands and commercial products. In 2010, he was awarded by United Way for the Walton-Foster Excellence in Media Award.

His camera shutter is now closed.  Interment will be at Grape Creek Cemetery in the Tillery plot.

Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on.

There's a feeling I get

When I look to the west

And my spirit is crying for leaving.

In my time of dying, want nobody to mourn

All I want for you to do is take my body home

― Stairway to Heaven & Quotes, Led Zeppelin