Dr. Donald Matthews Tilghman, 82, of Eden, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Born in Salisbury, he was the son of the late James and Jessie Tilghman of Pocomoke City.

He grew up in Pocomoke City and graduated from Pocomoke City High School. He continued his education at the University of Maryland College Park and then was accepted to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, where he graduated in 1961.

He interned at Johns Hopkins University/Hospital and then left to study medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.  After completing his graduate studies, he became Chief Resident in the department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital. from 1964-1965.

He held numerous important medical leadership positions in universities and hospitals in Cleveland and Baltimore. He eventually became a private practitioner in Salisbury.

He was renowned in the field of OMS/Implantology and trained hundreds of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons over his 50-plus years.

Dr. “T”, as many referred to him, loved life in general especially his wife, their children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, James E. Tilghman.

He is survived by his wife, Debra Harrison-Tilghman; his children: Lori Wheeler, Michael Tilghman, Kerri Tilghman, Rick Tilghman and Jessica Douglas; and nine grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church in  Salisbury.

Visitation will be tonight, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Holloway Funeral  Home in Salisbury; and on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church.

The Rev. Brian Moss will officiate. Interment will be in the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury.