Leland Dean Tillman

           Leland Dean Tillman passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends on May 1st, 2024. Leland was a dryland wheat farmer and cattle rancher in Quay County New Mexico on the land that his family homesteaded on in 1904.

            A native New Mexican, Leland graduated with a degree in journalism from Eastern New Mexico University in 1971. He started his career working at the Amarillo Globe News and Lubbock Avalanche Journal. He then became Executive Director of the Eastern Plains Council of Governors (District 4), a position he served in for 34 years. Leland brought the same care and dedication to his community duties as he did to his land. He served in leadership positions for the National Association of Developmental Organizations, including as President in 1996. Leland also received a presidential appointment as U.S. Commissioner and Chair of the Canadian River Compact Commission in April 1995. He was actively involved in other water-related organizations and served on the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Water Dialogue, Inc., a non-profit organization which sponsored periodic statewide forums to facilitate citizen involvement in water resources issues. As an early proponent of regional water planning in New Mexico, he served on the Interstate Stream Commission’s “template committee,” which established the broad framework for regional water plans. He worked with the state of New Mexico to collect the first investment grade wind data on the edge of the caprock. The data supported the viability of commercial scale wind projects in New Mexico.
 
            Leland is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Debbie Porter Tillman, son Jason (Macy) Tillman of Wheatland, and daughter Raina Tillman Hornaday of Austin. He was a cherished grandfather to Nathan, Hannah, Jack, and Holly Quinn. Also survived by his devoted brother Lowell Tillman (Steve) of Palm Springs, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Berchell and Elda Tillman, brothers Laddie and Larry Tillman, and sister Lana Tillman Lujan. His legacy will continue to flourish in the land he loved and the lives he touched.