John Paul Tidwell, 59, of Radcliff, KY, passed away on 09-June-2024 from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). John was preceded in death by his father, George Paul Tidwell. Survived by his wife of 26 years, Denise Tidwell, mother, Nancy Tidwell, sons, Aaron Tidwell, Joshua Tidwell (Amber), daughter, Sydney Tidwell (Joshua Abruzzo), brother, Michael Tidwell (Brigette), sister, Michelle Soule (Mark), and grandchildren, Christian Tidwell, Avery Tidwell, Raelynn Tidwell, Liam Tidwell, and Martin Tidwell.

John was born to George and Nancy Tidwell in Delhi, NY on 4-February-1965. He graduated from Cobleskill High School in 1983. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force completing basic training at Lackland AFB, TX. John served in the USAF for 20 years in the following locations: Kirtland AFB, NM (where he met and married his first wife, Margaret Sain), Keesler AFB, MS, Lajes Field, Azores (twice), Kadena AB, Japan, The Pentagon (where he met and married Denise), and Goodfellow AFB, TX. After retiring, the family moved to Sierra Vista, AZ. After briefly managing the local UPS store, he dedicated 17 years as a US Army civilian at Ft. Huachuca, AZ. He completed his final years of service as a Contracting Officers’ Representative for USAISEC.

John enjoyed an active life playing football, bowling, and lacrosse in his high school years. While in the Air Force, he competed in softball and enjoyed bowling, horseshoes, and golfing in his free time. Throughout his life he enjoyed truffle hunting, fishing, hunting, and camping. John was also a handyman and preferred to repair issues around the house himself or build things in his dream workshop. He enjoyed sharing this knowledge with his son, Aaron. When relaxing, he enjoyed watching television shows such as wrestling with his son, Joshua, Supernatural and The X-Files with his wife Denise, and True Crime or his favorite super-hero movies. John loved going to Disney parks with his grandchildren. John was a big supporter of his daughter’s Girl Scout Troop for 11 years where he was awarded the illustrious title of Green Knight. This was an honor he took very seriously as it was awarded to only the most dedicated fathers of the Girl Scout Troop. For his daughter’s Gold Award project, he advised and assisted her in building a handicap accessible raised garden at the Sierra Vista Life Care Center. He and Denise became lifetime members of the Girl Scouts. None of this would have been possible without the devoted leadership of Sydney’s Girl Scout leader, Janice Wheat, and her husband George Wheat who became lifelong friends. From this troop, John gained a second “daughter” in Sydney’s best friend, Jena Sieting, who joined his family on a variety of international and cross-country vacations (crazy as we are).

In April of 2008, John was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma which nearly took his life after kidney failure resulting from the effects of chemotherapy. In February 2022, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which led to his disability retirement. In April 2023, John was diagnosed with ALS. In June 2023, John and Denise moved to Radcliff, KY to build their dream home and enjoy their retirement. Unfortunately, in July of 2023, John’s battle with ALS took a turn for the worse. John moved into the Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veteran’s Center to receive a higher level of care. On 9-June-2024 at 1:04 p.m., his battle with ALS came to an end. During his nine months stay, he endeared fellow residents and staff; earning him the lovingly provided nickname: “The Mayor of building 400.” While fighting ALS, he gave his youth and energy to help his fellow veterans and staff, earning his place in their hearts. Despite fighting cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and ALS, this Airman never let these incurable afflictions stop him from being there for his mother, wife, children, grandchildren, and all the many friends he made through-out his life and career.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, Monday, June 17, 2024 at Chism Family Funeral Home, Vine Grove, KY.

Funeral services for Mr. Tidwell will be held at 12:00 PM, Monday, June 17, 2024 at the chapel of Chism Family Funeral Home, Vine Grove, KY with Rev. Amanda Adams officiating. Cremation will follow the service.

Lunch will be served following the memorial service at the American Legion, 1251 Ring Rd. Elizabethtown, KY 42701.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the ALS Association at www.ALS.org. Donations can be made in his honor by clicking “Donate” at the top right of the webpage and the option to dedicate the donation will be available during the donation process.