Richard Tidwell

Richard Daniel Tidwell, of Artesia, New Mexico, was called home to his Heavenly Father on the 18th of October 2018. After, many years courageously battling cancer, Danny was relieved of his worldly suffering at the age of 68.

Friends and loved ones are invited to celebrate his life and memory at services to be held at 2 o'clock on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Woodbine Cemetery. Long-time friend, Ed Hickey will officiate.

Lovingly known to his friends and family as "Danny" or 'Dan", Richard Daniel Tidwell was born in Carlsbad, N.M.. on the 13th of October 1950. Son of Pershing York Tidwell (better known as Pete) and Aurora Campbell Tidwell, he was the youngest of their 6 children. His childhood was spent in Carlsbad, N.M. and eventually Milpitas, CA. Danny returned to New Mexico, moving to Artesia in 1969. There he met the love of his life, Sandra Jean "Sandy" Blevins. They were married on July 20, 1973. Together they spent the next 45 years by each other's side, raising their three daughters and supporting one another through all of life's ups and downs. Danny was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

His love for his family was second only to his love for and faith in God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a lifelong Christian and a member of the Baptist faith. His grandchildren were the lights of his life and his greatest joy came from spending time with them. Whether sitting out in the yard at night stargazing and UFO watching, spending time working in his shop, teaching them to build and fix things and how to work on cars, or the quiet joy of holding a sleeping baby, he was happiest simply being with his family.

Danny will be lovingly remembered as a kind heart who loved and spoiled his pets and treated them as family; as a talented artist who enjoyed drawing and painting everything from landscapes to classic cars. He was an avid car enthusiast who enjoyed building, repairing, and restoring all types of vehicles from motorcycles and dune-buggies to cars, trucks, and hot-rods. Most importantly, he will be remembered as a man who worked hard to support and raise his family, was always ready to welcome a friend or lend a helping hand, an intelligent man who did his best to teach his children and grandchildren and pass on his skills and knowledge; and, finally as a strong and courageous fighter who never lost hope and refused to give in to his illness, right to the very end. When he left this life, he was surrounded by his loved ones and his loving wife Sandy was, as always, by his side.

Waiting to welcome him after his passing were his beloved mother Aurora Campbell, father Pershing Y. "Pete" Tidwell, and a cherished granddaughter Aurora Merrinn Tate. Each of whom preceded him in passing.

Those left to celebrate his life and honor his memory include his wife Sandy Tidwell; daughter Nora J. Roberts and her three chiildren Morgan Danielle Norman and fiance, Austin James "A.J." Krogman, Taylor "Brooke" Norman, and John Timothy "J.T." Roberts, Jr. of Artesia, N.M.; Debra Joyce Tidwell of Roswell, N.M.; and SueAnn Anderson, her husband Joshua Malcolm Anderson, and their three children JuleeAnn Elise Ryan, Sandra Evangelina "Eve" Sanchez, and Magnus James Anderson of West Richland, WA; sisters Noralynn Harrington of Phoenix, AZ and Adrian "Iris" Tidwell of Milpitas, CA; brothers James Tidwell, Robert "Bob" Tidwell, and Paul Tidwell of Mipitas, CA; niece Tamala Jean "Tammy" (Ingram) Robison, nephews Michael D. Ingram, Michael Harrington, Jim Kelly "J.K." Harrington, and Paul Tidwell, Jr.

Pallbearers will be J.T. Roberts, Michael Ingram, John R. "Robbie" Robison, James Brady, A.J. Krogman and Tim Roberts. Honorary pallbearers are Joshua M. Anderson, Magnus J. Anderson, Jeff C. Victor, Eddy Wallace, Dustin Brady, Lee Blevins, Brandon Blevins, Jim Blevins, Bill Laman, Bill Reed, Mickey Bean and Tommy Munson.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Ed Hickey for presiding over Danny's memorial service, as well as Chad LaRue and Robert Chumbly for their help in honoring Danny's memory at the memorial service, Kymera Cancer Treatment Center in Roswell, N.M., the staff at Artesia General Hospital as well as Hospice, and all of the doctors, nurses and medical support staff who have helped and cared for Danny over the past nine years, and all of our friends an family who have been there to help, support, encourage and comfort. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all.