Senior Photo Quote:
"To plow is to pray--to plant is to prophesy and the harvest answers and fulfills"
School activities: FFA
Gary loved to work on cars and took great pride in his 1957 Chevy. He was known by many as a very hard worker.
Spokane Daily Chronicle, Sept. 18, 1969 Article-
Motoris Dies From Injuries
Funeral Services are pending in Chewelah for Gary D. Tilson, 18, Spokane, who died yesterday at Deaconess Hospital of injuries suffered in a Saturday auto accident.
The Washington State Patrol said Tilson was injured in a one car mishap near Lind when he apparently went to sleep at the wheel and his car smashed into a tree.
Tri-County Tribune, Sept. 25, 1969 Obituary-
Gary D. Tilson
Eighteen-year-old Gary D. Tilson, a 1969 graduate of Mead High School, passed away Sept. 17, as a result of a Sept. 13 one-car accident near Lind. He was on his way to his employment in that community after registering for the fall term at Spokane Community College.
Besides his mother, Mrs. Ruth Reilly, at the home on Route 5, Spokane, Gary is survived by his father, Gordon Tilson of Spokane; two sisters, Christine and Patsy Tilson; one brother, Billy Tilson; his grandparents, Mr and Mrs. Luther Tilson, Chewelah.
Services were held at the Bryan Funeral Home in Chewelah at 10 a.m. and at the Wild Rose Methodist Church of which Gary was a member, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Internment was at the Wild Rose Cemetery with Rev. Earl Lake officiating at final services.
The family has suggested that memorials may be given to the Wild Rose Cemetery fund.
Source: Tri-County Tribune Sept. 25, 1969, Personal Friend, Wild Rose Cemetery records.
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The bottom of the marker is inscribed with "The Trail Ends" and a picture of his '57 Chevy
Ronna Jones (Snyder)
It's been nearly 40 years...and most all of us on this board have children who have graduated high school and some even college. I stop and think that Gary's parents lost their child just months after watching him graduate. My maternal heart goes out to those parents--despite all these years. I remember Gary as a gentle farm kid with a soft, sometimes even shy, but very ready smile.Doug Tolmie
Gary was killed in a one-person car accident on Sept. 17, 1969. I believe he fell asleep driving home. I was a pall bearer at his funeral along with five other high school friends. He was a good friend in high school, a quiet kid with a great work ethic and a wonderful sense of humor.- Doug Tolmie
Shirley Weatherford (Hillhouse)
Gary and I were in Washington State History along with Nancy Utermark as seniors. We kind of bonded together. He made us laugh and was so funny. I remember the day I found out about his accident. It was very sad. I still think of him and always smile.Mike Shellito/Klassen
Gary was one of my best friends growing up we played together got introuble together and woked hard together we both were working together in lind washington on a wheat farm right after graduation. we rode back and forth together from spokane to lind all summer. we came home when the job was done had fun all weekend,and he decided to go back for one more week. I stayed home and all these years I wondered if I would have went back just maybe our friend would be here or I with him. I'v alway missed him and will never forget the great times we enjoyed together with our friends.R.I.PYour not forgotten. Mike