Dad of 11 Dies While Helping Son Move Into a Dorm – His Fiancée Wears Engagement Dress to His Funeral

A 45-year-old man died after helping his son move into his college dorm. The family of the late Jeremy Tillman said his death shocked everyone as he appeared in good health before the event.

The family of 45-year-old Jeremy Tillman are collectively mourning his loss after he lost his life helping his son move into his college dorm room in Arkansas this month. His fiancée, Elizabeth Goodson, says all her plans have changed since she lost Tillman.

Goodson confirmed that her fiancé died in hospital after entering his son's dorm room in distress. Police officers were called to the dorm building just before 10 a.m. on August 19, 2023.

The police responded to a call about a man not breathing and administered CPR when they arrived. Goodson commented that the school did an excellent job keeping people from the scene and ensuring her family's safety.

Who Was Jeremy Tillman?

Tillman was a father of five who was engaged to Goodson a mother of six. They lived as a happy, blended family with their eleven children. He and his fiancée were looking forward to a beautiful life together.

When talking about what her future husband meant to their family, Goodson said his death left a void nobody could fill. She gushed:

"He took me and my six children and chose to integrate us into his life without hesitation. He showed our children how a man should treat a woman and how to be intentional with your word."

Tillman was also a grandfather of two, and his children wasted no time posting moving tributes for him on their social media pages. His son, Jace, who had been there when his father passed away, posted a montage of childhood photos with his father as his brother, Jaymi, said he already missed his father immensely.

Hannah Brazil, Tillman's daughter, posted a link to her father's obituary and shared some sweet words about him. She admitted his death felt unreal and said it was challenging to think she would be unable to hug him and have him tell her he was there for her during this difficult time.

She recalled all her memories of her father, like how his breath smelled of coffee when he talked or how the furniture smelled like car grease because of him. She also joked that she would miss the dad jokes he told at her sleepovers when she was a little girl.

Brazil talked about all the things that made her father special to her and everyone else in the family before saying:

"I realize now why you always told me I was strong; you [knew] one day I would need the strength to bear your loss. I just never imagined it would come this soon. I love you forever."

Brazil's post was met with kind words from friends and family who sent their condolences and talked about what a wonderful man Tillman was to Goodson her children, and especially his own children.

What Happened To Tillman?

While Tillman and Goodson were helping Tillman's son Jace move into his dorm room at Arkansas State University, Tillman came to the dorm's door and appeared distressed. Goodson and Jace didn't know what was happening.

Goodson then collapsed and stopped breathing as foam poured from his mouth. The police were called and tried to administer mouth-to-mouth without success. Tillman was announced dead on arrival at the St. Bernard Hospital in Jonesboro. Goodson clarified:

"He just had a very sudden medical event as we were moving things in. I guess he may have strained too hard."

The family are devastated at their loss and have thanked the public for their continued support as they navigate a world without Tillman. Goodson admitted that driving to the university with Tillman and driving back without him was harrowing.

Now, she has had to change all her plans for their future. One of the changes she made was wearing the dress she would have worn to their engagement party to Tillman's funeral.

A spokesperson at the university confirmed that they would be there for Jace and his family during this difficult time and sent their deepest condolences and sympathies to the family. Rest in peace, Jeremy Tillman.

Although tragedies can occur in any college, one woman ensured that disaster did not strike her family when she graduated as a grandmother. You can read her full story here.