Harold Dean Tidwell was called home on January 10, 2021. He spent part of his 87th birthday with his earthly family and the rest with his Heavenly family. Harold, also known as “Honey”, “Daddy”, “Granddaddy”, “Uncle Harold”, “Mr. T.” and “Cigar Man”, was born in Eufaula, Alabama.
He was the fourth of six children born to Charlie Wyatt Tidwell and Mattie Leila Tidwell. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley, in 1954, and together they raised six children. After a stint in the Navy, Harold began a 40 year career in route sales with Sol Loeb Company. With his side paneled van and his CB radio, he became the “Cigar Man”. It was hard to miss that big van with the cigar on the side and Harold with his silver hair and green eyes. While he briefly tried retirement, he quickly decided it wasn’t for him and began working for D. P. Jones Electrical for 14 years until earlier this year. Yes, that means he was working at 86 years of age. It is believed he found a way to steal youth.
“Honey”, as Shirley would call him, had been missing his bride since her passing in 2015, and now they are reunited and dancing the jitterbug.
“Daddy” was a daddy to everyone, not just his own. He is survived by children, Gary Tidwell, Donna Head, Janet Jamieson (Eddy), Jeff Tidwell (Ashley), Dennis Tidwell, and Denise Foster. He was preceded in death by his daughter in law, Kristi Chriss Tidwell. Although he was our daddy, we gladly shared him with so many who saw a daddy in him to include nieces, nephews, his children’s friends, his children’s spouses, ex-spouses, girlfriends, boyfriends, his friend’s children, the neighbor’s children, the kid two blocks over, it didn’t matter. “Mr. T.” opened his home to anyone and raised more than his own. Once you became part of his family, you were always family.
“Granddaddy” was built to be a granddad. He raised a rat pack crew of grandchildren who ruled Fay Drive after school and on the weekends. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Brandy Tidd, who is delighted she has him to herself again. He is survived by Bryan Brown, Shay Rodriguez (Edward), Robbie Foster, Candace Barefoot, Logan Robinson, Katie Hughes and Brennan Brown. It is believed this is the correct pecking order of the pack and granddad had to referee many disputes. He attended every baseball game and was their biggest fan. Many Peach Little League parents will recall him parking his chair in between fields when more than one grandchild was playing. He picked up kids, took kids to ball practice, helped kids hunt down their gloves and cleats and did it again the next day. From little league through high school, granddad was there. Of course, he boasted and bragged about those grandchildren, he was built to be a granddad. Again, some stealing of youth, he kept up with them.
“Granddaddy” was also Great Granddad to Karsyn, Aubrey and Jordan Rodriguez and Brantley Brooks. He was still playing in the yard, pushing swings, chasing love and stealing youth.
Harold has been reunited with his siblings who have gone before him: brothers, Wade and Kenneth Tidwell, and sister, Nellie Edmonds. He is survived by sisters, Maudie Butler and Faye McClelland. This means that the Tidwell brothers are together again, that trio will be causing fun and laughs in Heaven.
Harold loved to laugh, told the best jokes and was a prankster. Many (generations) have been victim to his syrup in the elbow crease. His pancakes fed many and provided him with opportunities to get someone with that trick.
Harold was salt of the earth, loved with all of his heart, was a friend to many and daddy or granddaddy to all. Cheers in Heaven, tears on earth.
Services will be held in the chapel of Striffler-Hamby Funeral Home at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021 and will be officiated by Pastor David Ray. Visitation will be prior to the service. We do ask that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
