James “Jim” Leroy Tullis, 81, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Monday, August 5th, 2024.
Jim was born in Holton, Kansas on December 18, 1942, a son of Ruby Elnora (Wright) and Harry James Tullis.
He was a professional pilot with over 30,000 hours of flight time. He learned to fly in Atchison, Kansas at Amelia Earhart Field and moved to Salina in 1969 to fly for JJ Veneer as a corporate pilot until it was sold to ADM Milling Company. He was still doing pilot check rides at 81 for K-State Salina until his passing. He also taught people to fly for several years. He loved his Saturday morning coffee and donuts with the fellows at the airport, spending time with his children, grandchildren and going to the casino. He also loved K-State, Kansas City Royals, and the Chiefs. He was a member of Salina First Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include his daughter, Dana Carr (Robert), of Caldwell, Idaho; two sons, Allen Tullis (Cathy), of Derby, Kansas and Todd Tullis (Becky), of Wichita, Kansas; 4 grandchildren, Sara Mayers (Jason), Tami Hauschel (Jake), David Tullis (Alexa), Jerica Tullis; 6 great grandchildren, Kendall, Josie, Aiden, Bridger, Oakley, and Everly.
Jim is also survived by two brothers, David Tullis, of Kelseyville, California, and Jerry (Gail) Tullis, of Valley Falls, Kansas.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Ruby.
Jim wished to be cremated.
His family will receive friends on Thursday, August 8th from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas.
The family requests donations be made to K-State Salina Aviation and Kansas Honor Flight, sent in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.carlsonfh.net or on our Facebook page.