Timothy John Sullivan III (T.J.), son, brother, friend and junior pilot, passed away Oct. 12. He was 20 years old and a junior at Oklahoma State University.
Previously of Fair Haven, T.J. was born in Ocala, Florida to his loving parents, Timothy John Sullivan Jr. and Amy Paullet Sullivan. He grew up in Fair Haven, where he played ice hockey, football and baseball, as well as volunteering for several community organizations. T.J. finished his high school career at Simsbury High School in Connecticut, where he was a member of the football and hockey teams. He also served as the treasurer of the Future Business Leaders of America and the founder of the Simsbury Aviation Club as well as the National Honor Society. As a result of his accomplishments, he earned the prestigious Disney Scholarship, Oklahoma State Award and the Simsbury Gridiron Scholarship.
T.J. double majored in aviation and finance at OSU, where he was recognized on the dean’s list. He proudly served as chaplain of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, Beta Kappa chapter, where he was a brother.
From a young age, T.J. was an avid entrepreneur, buying and selling coins online and trading stocks. He was known for engaging in lively debate on a variety of subjects, from politics to business, always well versed in his arguments but willing to listen to new ideas and learn.
More than anything, though, T.J. loved flying and aspired to be a commercial pilot. His enthusiasm for flying was well known by all who knew him. He was honored to join the American Airlines Stillwater Regional Airport family in 2019 as a flight representative.
He is predeceased by his maternal grandparents, John and Katherine Paullet, and paternal grandfather Timothy Sullivan Sr.
T.J. will be forever remembered by his beloved parents, Amy Sullivan and Timothy John Sullivan Jr., his cherished sister Sara Sullivan, his paternal grandmother Kathleen Sullivan, and his adoring aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Oct. 17 at Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Timothy’s memory to the Phi Kappa Tau Chapter Education Grant Fund at phikappatau.org/give.
Please visit Timothy’s memorial website available at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the October 22 – 28, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
