James Tidwell

DeKALB, Texas—James Louis Tidwell, 88, of the Austin Chapel community near DeKalb, died Friday, April 13, 2018, at his home. Mr. Tidwell was born Sept. 24, 1929, in Austin Chapel. He was a retired teacher and administrator with Malta, Jones-Crossing, Hubbard and DeKalb school districts. He also was a former dairy farmer; past employee of the Soil Conservation Service in Kaufman, Texas; deacon and member of Prime Timers at Austin Chapel Missionary Baptist Church; and member of DeKalb Masonic Lodge No. 9. He was a former lieutenant in the Air Force Reserves and a World War II Army veteran. He was named the American Business Women's Association's Boss of the Year, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Heart of the Community award winner, and was named Bowie County Resident Conservation Rancher and Region IV Resident Conservation Rancher. Mr. Tidwell was preceded in death by his wife, Marchita Kennedy Tidwell. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Grant Ballard of Deport, Texas; one son and daughter-in-law, Kelly and Julie Tidwell of Texarkana, Texas; three grandchildren, Brandon Buchanan, Wynne Tidwell and James "Hutch" Tidwell; and a number of nieces and nephews. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Austin Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in DeKalb Woodmen Cemetery under direction of Bates Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will be at the home of James Tidwell. Memorials may be made to the Marchita Tidwell Memorial Library at Austin Chapel Baptist Church, or to the American Cancer Society. Online registration is at batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.