Alexander "Xan" Holland Tisdale

Alexander (Xan) Holland Tisdale passed away after a brief illness on August 6, 2026, at the age of 55. He was born on October 16, 1970, in Durham, NC, the son of Wright Tisdale, Jr. and Kay Holland Chesnutt.

Xan grew up in Greensboro, and spent much of his childhood in Warrenton, NC with his grandparents at their home, which he called his “happy place”. He attended Greensboro Day School and graduated from Christ School in Asheville, NC and Elon University. He was an active member of the Greensboro community. He was a Realtor for twenty-two years with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Yost and Little Realty. He was a member of the Greensboro Realtors Association, the NC Realtors Association, and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Greensboro Country Club, the Off Island Club, and Ducks Unlimited. He also was involved with Reelin’ for Research, the Holden Trent Goal 13 Foundation, and the Polar Bear Open Golf Tournament, celebrating the life of Davis Kelly.

Outside of his family, Xan was known for his selfless commitment to his many friends. Their incredible outpouring of support during his illness will never be forgotten. He lived up to his nickname “Pooh Bear” – funny, loyal, and generous with his time and heart. When you were with Xan, his friends say he was a “presence that was present”. For thirty-five years each December, he was “Xanta” throughout Greensboro parks and neighborhoods, greeting every child and reading every list with great care. He especially focused on those that asked for clothes, food, and shelter, and worked to find help for these families. He found great peace when he went “catchin’” near the Bodie Island Lighthouse on the NC coast.

He is survived by his three children whom he adored, Alexander Boyd Tisdale (Alex) of Provo, Utah, Elizabeth Reece Tisdale, and Finley Marshall Tisdale of the home; his mother, Kay Holland Chesnutt; Beth Tisdale, mother of Reece and Fin; his brothers, Trescott Wright Tisdale of Wilmington, NC and Edward Lee Chesnutt, III of Mount Pleasant, SC. He was preceded in death by Wright Tisdale, Jr. and Edward Lee Chesnutt, Jr.

The family would like to thank Xan’s devoted caregivers during his final weeks: Kim Smith, Tyrone Allred, and Isaac McCloud.

A Celebration of Life service will be Friday, August 14, 2026, at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church, with a reception following the service in the Mullin Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Pastors’ Discretionary Fund at First Presbyterian Church, AuthoraCare Collective, or an organization of the donor’s choice