Jeff Tidwell

Charles Jefferson (“Jeff”) Tidwell 86, passed away at the Norman Veteran’s Center on December 30, 2016. Jeff was born to Jabe and Dessa Tidwell on August 17, 1930 in Pampa, Texas. Jeff graduated from Winsboro High School in 1947 and attended Kilgore Junior College and the University of Oklahoma in 1957. Between his attendance at Kilgore and OU, Jeff served with distinction in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War. After graduating from college, he worked in various sales positions at Xerox for over twenty years. In 1985, Jeff moved to Duncan, Oklahoma and married Julia Smith. They were married for twenty-two years until her death in 2009.

Jeff had two great loves in life besides his family; music and OU football. He was an accomplished trumpet player and played for over 70 years. He loved big band music. Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller records were his favorites. Prior to his health deteriorating, Jeff rarely missed an OU home football game. He loved his Sooners and thought every year should be a national championship season.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in law, Tracy and Richard Troth of Krum, Texas and son and daughter-in-law Todd and Leah Tidwell of Norman. Also, a brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Sandy Tidwell of Mineola, Texas, a nephew Chad Tidwell and wife Anne of Durango, Colorado and numerous grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Shauna Francis and wife Julia.