Jesse C. Tullos

Jesse Carlton Tullos Jr., 81, of Pawleys Island, SC, died on May 31, 2026. He was surrounded by members of his family. 

He was a kind and gentle soul who was annoyingly well read on many subjects.  He had a dry sense of humor and was fluent in sarcasm.  He possessed a kindness that radiated and showed in all he did.  He was a loving husband and a devoted father who cared deeply about his family and friends.

Mr. Tullos was born on October 27, 1944, in Wauchula, FL to Audrey Stickland Tullos and Jesse Carlton Tullos Sr.

He grew up in Brunswick, GA where he attended Glynn Academy. As a senior, “Big Jess” was chosen Most Humorous by his classmates and maintained a good sense of humor throughout his life.  He also served as Vice President of the Sigma Alpha Delta fraternity.

He was an Air Force Veteran who served during the Vietnam War as a Mobile Radar Operator Advisor in Can Tho, Vietnam.

In 1972, Mr. Tullos graduated from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism.  After graduating, he spent more than 35 years as a journalist.  He was the Publisher and Editor of the bi-monthly magazine Grassroots South and later served as managing editor of newspapers in Alabama and Georgia.  In 1988, he accepted the job as Editor of The Georgetown Times in South Carolina.  He spent 18 years in that position until his retirement in 2006.  He won numerous awards from The Associated Press and the SC Press Association for his writing and layout design.  

In 2010, Mr. Tullos published his book The Red Terrors detailing Glynn Academy’s 1964 state football championship.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Barbara Elaine Tullos, and loving wife, Cathryn Marie Harrell Tullos.  He is survived by his daughter, Adrienne Tullos Fontenot (Joshua), his son, Jesse Carlton Tullos III (Margaret), his granddaughters, Malone and Genevieve, his brothers Johnny Tullos, Fred Tullos (Allison), Terry Evans (Darlene), stepbrother Grady Evans (Cheryl), and his four-legged sidekick Ollie. 

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 18 at 3 PM. The service will be held at The River Room at Coastal Kitchen on St. Simon’s Island, GA.

To view these details online or to offer words of comfort through the online guestbook, please visit www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Service (843.651.1440) of Murrells Inlet is assisting the family with arrangements.