John Gillis Lilly

Being backyard neighbors with John and Florence for so many years, serving with them in church, and feeling their love for us and everyone around them has created so many wonderful memories.
I have always loved how devoted and fiercely loyal they are to each other. That was so evident in all my interactions. Both of them knew our kids and I always felt so special when they would ask about them by name and I knew that my kids had experienced first hand the love and support from John and Florence.
When we were struggling, trying to wean a young colt, John offered their back pasture for us to use as long as we needed. Since it was only a few feet away from our coral it was an answer to prayer. I think John liked how our horse kept the weeds gone while it lived there.
Another favorite interaction with John was with his awesome toys. His jeep, Harley, and especially his purple restored Ford. I loved looking at and admiring them. I wanted to ride in the Old Purple Ford and he told me to take Andra out on a date in it. I was so excited. We talked about that so many times for so long, but I failed to schedule it. Subconsciously, I think I loved having that offer hanging over our heads because it gave me another thing to joke about with him as I would tell him the off the wall things I had in mind and places I was going to take his truck on my date with Andra. None of which I would ever dare do with that beautiful truck.
John Lilly is a hero to me and many others. His character possesses the strength of steel to be intimidating, with a warm heart, and humanness to be approachable and accepting to everyone around him. That is what made him perfect to me.