Obituary for Jimmy Don "Don" Tidwell
Jimmy “Don” Tidwell, 72 years of age, of Pampa, Texas, lost his battle with cancer on the evening of Tuesday, February 14, 2023 while surrounded in love by his family at his home. Don was born on September 12, 1950, in McLean, Texas to JT and Artie Tidwell.
In true Don style, he couldn’t wait until Artie was at the hospital to make his grand entrance – so he surprised everyone at the doctor’s office! Then, to top things off, a storm rolled in, the doctor closed up shop (forgetting he had Artie and a newborn baby in an exam room) and left them locked inside! He was ornery from day one!
He attended 1st thru 8th grade in Kellerville then following a move to Wheeler, graduated from Wheeler High in 1968. Even as a youngster, Don enjoyed the clean air and the openness of living on a ranch rather than feeling confined in town. He raised coon dogs and trekked them up and down the creek in Kellerville whilst hunting and fishing.
Don had been employed as an industrial mechanic for about 25 years with Panhandle Industrial then in 1992, he and Pedro started A & T Yard Services. He sold his portion to Pedro in 2006 to start up JD Hot Shot Services and eventually went to work at Snappy Services as a truck driver until his retirement in 2020.
There’s no doubt Don had an ornery streak, but he also had a knack for turning any situation into a laughing affair or a negative into a positive. He adored his family and felt that baby snuggles were the grandest! He loved all animals, but his sweet German Shepard, Lucy, will be lost without her sidekick.
Don was a member of the Top O’ Texas Masonic Lodge 1381 and known and loved by many in the community who will miss his smile and laughter.
Those who anxiously greeted him into heaven are his parents; daughter, Brenda Lee; brother, Terry Tidwell and granddaughter, Laci Tidwell.
His memory will be cherished by his son, Jeff Tidwell and wife Junia of Pampa; brother, David Tidwell and wife Pat of Amarillo; sister, Janice Allen and husband Craig of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Jacob Tidwell and wife Samantha of Amarillo, Chantelle Tidwell, Kaylyn Tidwell, Robert Tidwell all of Pampa; a great-granddaughter, Mila Tidwell and of course his fur baby, Lucy as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members who all loved him.
The family would like to acknowledge BSA Hospice of the Southwest staff as well as Don’s caregivers, Chantelle Tidwell, Nikki Perez, Kathy Beck and Cassi Owens for the outstanding and heartfelt care given our loved one in his time of need. Each of you gave selflessly and lovingly and your actions did not go unnoticed! May God bless each of you.
If donations to a charity are a preference, the family suggests they be made to Pampa Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS), P.O. Box 2095, Pampa, TX 79066-2095 or BSA Hospice of the Southwest, #3 Care Circle, Amarillo, TX 79124 in memory of Don.
Celebration of Life Memorial services are scheduled for 11:00 am, Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Highland Baptist Church, 1301 N. Banks Street with Brother Paul Nachtigall officiating. The family has entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
In true Don style, he couldn’t wait until Artie was at the hospital to make his grand entrance – so he surprised everyone at the doctor’s office! Then, to top things off, a storm rolled in, the doctor closed up shop (forgetting he had Artie and a newborn baby in an exam room) and left them locked inside! He was ornery from day one!
He attended 1st thru 8th grade in Kellerville then following a move to Wheeler, graduated from Wheeler High in 1968. Even as a youngster, Don enjoyed the clean air and the openness of living on a ranch rather than feeling confined in town. He raised coon dogs and trekked them up and down the creek in Kellerville whilst hunting and fishing.
Don had been employed as an industrial mechanic for about 25 years with Panhandle Industrial then in 1992, he and Pedro started A & T Yard Services. He sold his portion to Pedro in 2006 to start up JD Hot Shot Services and eventually went to work at Snappy Services as a truck driver until his retirement in 2020.
There’s no doubt Don had an ornery streak, but he also had a knack for turning any situation into a laughing affair or a negative into a positive. He adored his family and felt that baby snuggles were the grandest! He loved all animals, but his sweet German Shepard, Lucy, will be lost without her sidekick.
Don was a member of the Top O’ Texas Masonic Lodge 1381 and known and loved by many in the community who will miss his smile and laughter.
Those who anxiously greeted him into heaven are his parents; daughter, Brenda Lee; brother, Terry Tidwell and granddaughter, Laci Tidwell.
His memory will be cherished by his son, Jeff Tidwell and wife Junia of Pampa; brother, David Tidwell and wife Pat of Amarillo; sister, Janice Allen and husband Craig of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Jacob Tidwell and wife Samantha of Amarillo, Chantelle Tidwell, Kaylyn Tidwell, Robert Tidwell all of Pampa; a great-granddaughter, Mila Tidwell and of course his fur baby, Lucy as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members who all loved him.
The family would like to acknowledge BSA Hospice of the Southwest staff as well as Don’s caregivers, Chantelle Tidwell, Nikki Perez, Kathy Beck and Cassi Owens for the outstanding and heartfelt care given our loved one in his time of need. Each of you gave selflessly and lovingly and your actions did not go unnoticed! May God bless each of you.
If donations to a charity are a preference, the family suggests they be made to Pampa Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS), P.O. Box 2095, Pampa, TX 79066-2095 or BSA Hospice of the Southwest, #3 Care Circle, Amarillo, TX 79124 in memory of Don.
Celebration of Life Memorial services are scheduled for 11:00 am, Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Highland Baptist Church, 1301 N. Banks Street with Brother Paul Nachtigall officiating. The family has entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.