Nicholas Hampton Tilley

Nicholas (Nick) H. Tilley was born on December 17, 1983 in Visalia, CA and died on February 21, 2024 in a car accident just two miles from home. He first lived in Pixley, CA where he played Little League Baseball before attending Tipton Elementary. At the age of 10, he moved to Tulare attending Cherry Ave Middle School and played Pop Warner Football. He graduated from Tulare Union High School in 2002 where he was proud of his role as an offensive lineman in back-to-back Valley Football Championships (1999 & 2000.) 

Nick attended Fresno City College briefly with plans for ROTC, but a work place injury (after a roof collapse resulting in a broken neck and back) forced him to move home, but he overcame that difficulty and continued studies at Cuesta College and College of the Sequoias (COS). 

He then worked as a Snap On Tool dealer for a couple of years but was really proud of obtaining his RETA (Refrigeration Engineer Technician Association) certification while working at Haagen Dazs for two years. For the past ten years, Nick worked for Kraft and really loved that his schedule permitted him more time for his family as well as his many hobbies and activities. Just two weeks before his fatal accident, he switched employment to California Dairies, Inc. and was looking forward to a work schedule that would allow him to coach his kids in baseball and attend all the games. 

Nick was so smart and capable that he knew everything about everything. He was the guy to call for answers or help with any problem. He could find the answer for you faster than searching Google. His skills included mechanical, off-roading, technology, electronics, home repair, farm work, etc. Nick helped everyone, even strangers some of whom then became friends. He made friends everywhere he went. If they needed help, he said yes. He’d set up home theater systems or hookup computer internet systems. He fixed vehicles from bumper to bumper including rebuilding engines. Nick had a core group of lifelong best friends that he grew up with, but he has expanded that group since.

Nick began dating Jennifer in 2006 and they got married in 2013. He was definitely a family man who loved his wife and their four kids. Because Jenn homeschooled their children, it allowed Nick to spend as much time as possible together with them in spite of his demanding work schedule. He and Jenn loved taking their kids to Legoland where they had season passes. They often took trips in the motorhome to camp at the beach, or the mountains and even to this year’s New Year’s Eve party. Most of their trips included their horses, four wheeling, family and friends. Nick loved four wheeling with his kids on their quads and in his Blazer. One of his favorite things to do was to help pull out those 4-wheelers if they got stuck. 

Family was important to Nick. They were always on his mind. He came to his kids’ soccer and T-ball practices as well as their horse competitions. Nick loved video gaming with the kids and wrestled with them in the evenings when he returned home from work. He regularly had breakfast with his grandpa, visited his parents and brought sweets to his wife and kids. He was constantly busy, and always working on something. Nick was generous with his time, his talents and his love. He gave them freely to his family, friends and even strangers. He left us too soon and is greatly missed. 

Celebration of Life Service for Nick Tilley

On Saturday March 16th at 11:00 AM 

At T.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall of Tulare

515 North I St

Tulare, CA  93274 

Nick Tilley is survived by:

   Parents: Greg Tilley and Cleona (York) Tilley of Tulare, CA

   Grandpa: Cleo York of Tulare, CA

   Sister: Natalie Tilley of Tulare, CA

   Brother: Brian Tilley of Coeur d'Alene, ID

   Aunts/Uncles:

        Rod Tilley and Oma (York) Tilley of Grover Beach, CA

        Tobe York and Kerri (Foster) York of Tulare

        Deborah York of Coeur d'Alene, ID

  Cousins: lots

  Wife: Jennifer (Murphy) Tilley of Strathmore

  Kids: Logan, Landon, Brooklyn and Nathan Tilley

Preceded in Death by:

   Grandpas: Lewis Tilley and Bill Briggs

   Grandmas: Mary Jane York and Louise Velma Briggs

   Uncle: Rudy Lynn York

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