Lyle Lee Tidwell

Lyle Lee Tidwell, 85, went to his heavenly home on September 9, 2022 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Lyle was born December 20, 1936 in Homedale, Idaho.

Lyle worked in the plywood business for 43 years before retiring. His career began on the West Coast and at the age of 16, Lyle began his plywood journey when he was hired to sweep the floors. He turned that opportunity into a lifetime career as he, along with his wife moved to the south in 1966 to have the task of starting five different plywood mills throughout his years of work. Some of the mills he opened in East Texas were in Silsbee and Corrigan before moving to Cleveland, Texas in 1979 to open the Kirby Mill located in Tarkington. He retired at the age of 60 after creating a legacy of leadership in the plywood industry and having an impact on many of the young men and women who worked for him at his plants.

Lyle was an outdoorsman who loved to travel. He and his wife traveled to 48 states which included a drive to Alaska. He enjoyed those cross-country trips in his camper and was at one of his happiest days when he became the proud owner of a trike motorcycle. Lyle was also a bicycle rider and would take his bike to work with him just to go for a ride during his lunch hour. He participated in six MS charity bike rides, and he also enjoyed rollerblading and going sailing. He lived the true spirit of an outdoorsman and was his happiest at those times.

Lyle was preceded in death by his daughter, Debbie Parler; his son, Scott Tidwell and granddaughter, Jennifer Fanning. Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 69 years, Bonnie Tidwell; his daughter, Connie Cox; his grandchildren, Brad Parler and Rachel Parler; his great-grandchildren, Celeste Parler, Ben Parler, Alissa Parler, Eva Parler, Natalie Fanning; brother-in-law, Frank Maddux.

A memorial service for Lyle will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Pace Stancil Chapel, Cleveland, Texas.