A dad-of-six has tragically died as he moved his son into a college dorm room.
Despite only being 45 years old, Jeremy Tillman suddenly stopped breathing as he helped unpack at Arkansas State University.
As his loved ones mourn their tragic loss, the dad has been described as ‘selfless’ by his fiancé.
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Prior to Tillman’s sudden passing, he and his partner, Elizabeth Goodson, had been engaged for just two months and been planning for their life together.
The doting dad had also been helping his son, Jace, prepare for college – not knowing that he would never see his beloved son graduate.
Sadly, it's still unclear what caused Tillman to become breathless last week, with his fiancé describing the incident as a ‘very sudden medical event’.
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Speaking to KARK 4 News, Goodson recalled that he was in ‘obvious distress’ as he walked into the dorm room at Arkansas State on August 19.
Moments later, Tillman suddenly stopped breathing.
When police arrived, they found the dad on the ground with foam reportedly ‘pouring’ from his mouth – as those in the room with him had already began to deliver CPR.
Law enforcement had used an external defibrillator to administer an electric shock to the dad’s heart, with the 45-year-old then being rushed to St. Bernards in Jonesboro.
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Sadly though, he would pass after arriving at the medical centre.
"We went there with him, and then driving home without him was, I think, one of the worst things I've ever experienced," Goodson later told the local news outlet.
She also revealed she intends to wear a dress that had been for their engagement photo shoot to his funeral.
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As she and the family try to cope with their tragic loss, Goodson has described the ‘selfless’ dad who loved cars and being with his family.
"He took me and my 6 children, and chose to integrate us into his life without hesitation," she recalled, revealing that her partner also had six kids of his own.
However, Tillman loved his blended family and made time for kids, despite working two jobs.
Goodson said: "He was selfless, and always worked hard to ensure everyone had the things that they wanted and needed, often to his own detriment.”
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“He loved all our children and was the epitome of what a man and father should be."
Arkansas State University also released a statement, following the tragic death on campus which read: "Chancellor Todd Shields and Arkansas State University extend deepest condolences to student Jace Tillman.”
“The university community will continue to support Jace and keep his family in their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."
Katherine Sidnell