Jerry C. Tidwell

Jerry was born on July 28, 1945, in Checotah, Oklahoma to parents, Zella M. Kennedy-Tidwell and Carthel H. Tidwell. He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Lynn M. Tidwell-Ross, and his fur baby, Maggie Mae Tidwell- (Mae-Mae)

Jerry spent most of his early years growing up in Arvin, California. He and his family lived in Sunset Labor Camp where the family worked as farm laborers. Not wishing to continue as a farm laborer, at the age of 18 he entered the Army in 1963.

He completed his basic training at Fort Ord, California. After basic training, he was asked to become a member of the All-Army rifle team, which he accepted. Seeing no chance for future pay grade advancement in that position, he requested to attend aviation school in Fort Ustius, Virginia. He was accepted and there is where he obtained his education and his certification in helicopter repair. After a shortened tour of duty in Germany, Jerry was ordered to serve in Vietnam and was stationed in Ankaê and Pleiku where he served until 1967.

After Jerry’s service to our country, he entered the Plumbing/Welding/Pipefitting trade. He was a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (U. A.), local Plumbers and Pipefitters Unions, #460 and #525. Jerry worked in his trade for over 40 years, and his work sometimes required him to travel across the United States and Canada. Jerry retired from his trade in 2010, and he and wife Pamela, settled in Bodfish, California, where he could fish every day.

Jerry also loved to play pool, fix anything that was broken, creating different things out of scrap metals he had collected and watching western movies. He was enormously proud of spending time teaching his Granddaughter Alexis (Lala) how to fish. Jerry always had a great story to tell, and he wove his unending hysterical jokes into those stories. Jerry was truly one of those people y’all have heard of, “He Never Knew a Stranger” and he didn’t.

Jerry leaves behind his wife, of 45 years, Pamela C. Kretzer-Tidwell, brother Carl W. Tidwell (Lorriane) and sister Patsy L. Tidwell-Boles (Roy). His sons, Jerry B. Tidwell, Mark D. Tidwell. Stepsons, Johnny T. Lang, Jason R. Yount, and Michael M. Marcum. 13 Grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; along with numerous family members, neighbors, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service for Jerry at Blue Mountain Cemetery in Woody, California, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 12:00.(High Noon) Visitation with the family will be directly following the service at the Woody Community Center, Woody, California. Lunch will be served with reminiscing stories about this incredible rambling man, who has rambled on home to heaven. The world has assuredly lost one of the Good Guys, but his light will shine on for eternity!

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you please consider donating to a Veterans charity of your choice in honor of Jerry.