A father of 12 — six children of his own and six stepchildren — who was helping his son move into a dormitory at Arkansas State University collapsed and died. On August 19, 2023, 45-year-old Jeremy Tillman was moving his son, Jace, into one of the campus residential buildings when according to a police report, he stopped breathing.
His death is being mourned by his family. “Jeremy was a tender and affectionate partner,” Elizabeth Goodson, his fiancée shared. “He was a man of the highest integrity, and there is no one like him. This hole in our hearts will never be able to be filled.”
"He took me and my 6 children, and chose to integrate us into his life without hesitation," Elizabeth added of the devoted father. Jeremy also had six children from a previous relationship.
Elizabeth described the moment right before Jeremy collapsed. “When he came through the door … he was in obvious distress. He just had a very sudden medical event as we were moving things in. I guess he may have strained too hard.”
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According to the police report, police were called to the Living-Learning Community Building 2 because a man that had stopped breathing. When police entered the room, they found Jeremy lying on the floor with foam coming out of his mouth.
People in the room had already begun administering CPR on him. Police also used an automated external defibrillator, which delivered an electric shock in an effort to restart Jeremy's heart.
He was then taken to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, where he later died. "We went there with him, and then driving home without him was, I think, one of the worst things I've ever experienced," Elizabeth said.
The couple had gotten engaged less than two months ago. He was a devoted father to their blended family. "Jeremy was an understanding parent," Elizabeth shared. "Despite working full-time and part-time at home, he rarely missed important events, and he always made time for movie nights, soccer in the yard, or pull-up competitions. He showed our children how a man should treat a woman, and how to be intentional with your word."
Hannah Brazil, one of Jeremy's children, posted a status to her Facebook page. "Our father was a well respected and loving man that always put his family first, and never stopped putting a smile on the face of everyone he interacted with," she said in part.
People in the comments shared their condolences for the family. "Prayers for you and your family! Jeremy was a heck of a good guy!!!" someone said. "Sending lots of love and prayers," another person commented. "We are profoundly sorry for your lose. He was one of a kind and will be missed."
