Leslie Earl Tidwell

Leslie Earl Tidwell, 91, of DeKalb left this world on the fine morning of June 1, 2020. Tank was born on March 20, 1929, in Siloam, Texas to Earl and Maude Proctor Tidwell. He married Anna Mae Sucky Shumake on January, 29, 1949, south of Hubbard Chapel. Tank was a U.S. Army veteran and an electronics expert for the Dept of Defense for more than 30 years, traveling the world in the nation's Cold War effort. He was a member of the American Legion Doyle Williams Post 488 and a former member of John H. Moore Post. He was an Honorary Chapter Farmer of the DeKalb FFA. He was also a rancher, a farmer, and a proud member of the James Bowie High School class of 1948. He was an active member of First Baptist Church DeKalb, where he served as a deacon and was a former Sunday School superintendent and teacher. He spent many years as a sponsor and counselor on youth choir trips to south Texas and Lakeview Baptist Assembly. He later volunteered with the Kingdom Kids, serving them supper on Wednesday nights. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Leslie Earl Tidwell Jr. in 1950, his parents, and his sister, Mildred "Sis" Lewis. He's survived by his wife of 71 years, Anna Mae "Sucky" Tidwell of De Kalb, 2 daughters and 1 son, Joni Tidwell Haldeman (Charles) of De Kalb, John L. Tidwell (Cathy) of Texarkana, and Jane Guyton (Jay) of Texarkana. His 4 grandchildren: Charlie Haldeman (Amanda) of Sugar Land; Jackson Tidwell (Amelie) of Lafayette, Louisiana; Jordan Tidwell of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Landry Guyton of Leonardtown, Maryland. His 4 great-grandchildren: Hattie, Riley, Robb, and Will Haldeman of Sugar Land. He's also survived by his brother and sister, Henry Tidwell (Barbara) of Longview and Ann "Pud" McIntyre of Simms, and a multitude of cousins and friends. He has waited for this day his entire life and his presence to us was God's gift. For that, we rejoice through our sadness of his passing. Private services under the direction of Bates Family Funeral Home in DeKalb, Texas. Online registration atwww.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.