Joseph Coleman Tullos, Sr.

Joseph Coleman Tullos, Sr. passed to his eternal reward on January 3, 2026. He was an avid reader, especially subjects in History and Sailing. He was a huge fountain of History knowledge. He owned a sailboat for many years and dreamed of sailing around the world. He was a Navy Veteran in the Naval Air Command and loved the sea. After the military he found a career in many industries including construction as a heavy equipment operator and then as a refinery operator with Shell. With his retirement from Shell he moved to Florida from Louisiana to have a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico and to provide a vacation home for the family to visit. He was a collector of many things, most notably antique oil lamps. He had a unique style and personality and would often be seen wearing a Greek fisherman's cap. Joe was known to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for his humorous quips. He was also known for telling stories of his very interesting life, like the time he hitchhiked all the way from Jacksonville, FL in freezing temperatures to visit Cathy in New Orleans and all the interesting characters and situations he met on the way. Joe was born in McGehee, Arkansas to Mildred Audrey Gober and Jesse Dewey Tullos. Joe met the love of his life, Cathy Cahill, while still in Middle School at Capdau Junior High School in New Orleans, LA. They did everything together and were a true example of a loving marriage. In June of 2025 they had their 67th wedding anniversary. Joe was an active member of St. Rita's Catholic Church in Santa Rosa Beach, FL for 30 years, volunteering for ministries. Joe was greatly loved by all who met him. He is survived by his wife, Catherine (Cathy) Cahill Tullos, his daughter, Sara Tullos Graziano (Anthony Graziano), his daughter Mary Tullos McMahon Drummond (Edwin Drummond), his son Keith Tullos (Lisa Price Tullos), his Daughter-in-Law Andrea Friloux Tullos, his brother Gene Tullos (Wanda Burris Tullos), his brother Robert Lorenzo (Sandra Vujnovich Lorenzo), his grandchildren, Andrew Graziano, Candice McMahon KausHagen (Joseph Stefanchik), Christopher McMahon, Cailin McMahon Connell (Sean Connell), Christina McMahon, Connor McMahon, Catherine McMahon, Justine Tullos (Rome Widenhouse), Cole Tullos (aka Joseph Coleman Tullos, III), Jolie Tullos, Zachry Tullos, and Cody Tullos. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Zion and Judah KausHagen, Stella Stefanchik, Edith and Florence Connell, Caleb, Kayson, and Bently Tullos, Aurora Tullos and Jude Widenhouse. Preceding him in death is his beloved son Joseph Coleman Tullos, Jr., mother Mildred Audrey Gober Tullos Lorenzo, father Jesse Dewey Tullos, brother Tommy Tullos, brother Dean Tullos, sister Anita Tullos, and son-in-law Peter Guy McMahon. We will miss him until we join him.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 AM Monday, January 12, 2026 at St. Rita's Catholic Church; 22 St Rita Ln, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, January 12, 2026 at St. Rita's Catholic Church.

Flowers are accepted or donations may be made in Joe's name to The Michael J Fox Foundation at https://give.michaeljfox.org/

Burial will be held at Historic Gulf Cemetery with Military honors by the United States Navy.


To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Joseph Coleman Tullos, Sr., please visit our sympathy store. https://www.clary-glenn.com/obituary/joseph-tullos-sr/gifts?campaign=obituaryThemed-gifts-textLink-obitText