The Brookhaven School District said goodbye to another longtimeemployee Tuesday as friends, family members and co-workers gatheredat St. James Missionary Baptist Church to bid farewell to DeputySuperintendent James Tillman.

Members of the Parents Teacher Association and friends ofTillman hosted a retirement reception on the deputysuperintendent’s last day as a member of the school district.

“There is nobody that cares more about this community than JamesTillman,” said former Superintendent Lea Barrett, who also recentlyretired from the school district. “It was an honor to have workedwith him. He taught me a lot.”

Tillman announced his retirement in August after 42 years insidethe school district.

“I wanted to leave at a time when the school district was inpretty good shape,” said Tillman.

Through the course of four decades, Tillman has served as ateacher at Mullins Elementary School and Brookhaven High School,principal at MES and Alexander Junior High School, assistantsuperintendent from 1998 until 2004 and deputy superintendent since2004.

“I gave it my best. I don’t have any regrets,” said Tillman.”It’ll probably be a shock at some point in time realizing I don’thave to go to the office. Right now, I’m OK with it.”

As Tillman put it, he has been in the district a “lifetime,” andthose that know him best think education was a big part of hislife.

“The children were his main focus, developing the children intoproductive members of the community,” said Tillman’s son, Greg.

Tillman’s calm, cool presence that he brought to the schooldistrict all the years will be missed by many, as he has impactedthe lives of many through his 42 years of service.

“He was the kind of a man behind the scenes that got thingsdone,” said Mayor Les Bumgarner, who worked with Tillman whileacting as head coach at BHS. “He’s an adviser to a lot of kids anda role model.”

Like the elaborate quilt given to Tillman at his party, he hasalways tried to weave an environment conducive to teaching andlearning while serving in the district.

“I really enjoyed the students,” said Tillman. “I wanted to makesure we gave the students a background that they could use tosucceed in life.”

While not having to make an early morning school bell, Tillmanwill have time to relax. However, he is not going anywhere.

“I’ll still be here for any assistance I can give. Theemployees, they know that,” said Tillman. “But, you can’t goforever.”