Frank Ray Tidwell

Frank Ray Tidwell, age 85, passed away on Wednesday March 23, 2016 of natural causes.
Frank was born on May 12, 1930 in Wellington, Utah to Delbert Franklin Tidwell and Mary Matthea Young.   He married and was sealed to his eternal companion, Beverly Patterson, on December, 28 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Frank was raised in Green River, Utah and spent much of his first fifteen years on the family ranch on "The Spur" near Horseshoe Canyon in what is now part of Canyonlands National Park. He graduated from Green River High School where he played football, basketball, and served as Student Body President.  He graduated from Snow College, then attended and graduated from Utah State University with Bachelors' Degrees in Education and Physical Education. He taught school for a short time in Green River before being drafted into the Army and stationed in Korea. In Korea, he served at a Prisoner of War camp and at a base in Koje Do. Upon returning from the Korean War, he returned to Utah State and completed a Masters' Degree in Physical Education. He also completed two years of work towards a PhD at the University of Utah.  Frank taught school for two more years before switching careers and entering civil service. Frank and Beverly lived in Salt Lake City, Dugway, Tooele, Bountiful, and eventually settled in Centerville, Utah. Frank retired from Hill Air Force Base in 1999 after more than forty years of dedicated service. Frank was also active in the Air Force Reserve and retired from the Air Force as a Colonel.   
Frank was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served faithfully in many ward and stake positions. After retirement, Frank and Beverly served a mission in Frankfurt, Germany.
Frank loved the exploring the area around Green River, UT. He loved sports and was an avid Aggie and Utah Jazz fan.
Frank is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beverly, and their seven children:  Kendall (Ruth Ann) Tidwell, Reed (Sheri) Tidwell, Blaine (Lori) Tidwell, Kirk (Heidi) Tidwell, Tana (Brian) Noble, Glade (Brittany) Tidwell, and Deanna (Brad) Otton.  He is also survived by 26 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and his sister Ila Clark. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, March 28, 2016 at the Centerville 19th Ward Chapel, 900 South 400 East. A viewing for family and friends will be held Sunday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, and Monday morning 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Centerville City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.