Gary Ralph Tilson, age 79, of Madisonville, passed this life into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Thursday 8/18/22. His last days in this life were in the comfort of his home after battling Alzheimer's disease for 5 years. After graduating from Madisonville High School, class of 1961, he joined the Air Force and served oversees in Turkey. Upon returning home he was hired by Bell South Telephone Company and was employed for 32 years. He served the Church for many years as an ordained Deacon, Sunday School teacher and church leadership at both Friendship Baptist and Watson Chapel Baptist. After his retirement he volunteered his time for the Telephone Pioneers at the Charles Hall Museum in Tellico Plains assisting Charles Hall in displaying telephone memorabilia. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle on the Tail of the Dragon and in the mountains in the early morning hours. He raised cattle and horses and loved every animal. He spent a lot of time on Tellico Lake enjoying catching bass and crappie. He and his wife of 60 years spent many happy days in their RV traveling the United States. He was a member of the Dixie Jewels Insulator Club and enjoyed collecting beautiful insulators from many antiquing adventures. He was a firefighter and treasurer of Notchey Creek Fire Department for many years.