With a deep sense of loss, we announce the passing of Donald Oliver Tidwell on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

Donald was born in Tifton, Georgia in 1932 and moved to Bradenton, Florida at an early age. After graduating from Manatee High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Martha.  He served in the Navy and then became a Manager with J.C. Penney Co. in Jacksonville. Donald, Martha and their four children moved to Merritt Island in 1968. He worked in the space industry for years, finally retiring as a Federal Civil Servant from Patrick Air Force Base in 1995.

Donald was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He always taught his children and grandchildren to work hard, do the right thing and to love each other above all else.  Donald and Martha loved living on South Tropical Trail and were known for their citrus and mango groves.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Martha, are a daughter, Donna Cayer (Steve); sons, Keith and Lorne; daughter-in-law Leidy Bellanero of Costa Rica; grandchildren, Stefanie Cayer and Ryan Tidwell of Costa Rica; sister Cynthia Behrens (Stan) of Orlando and 5 nieces and 5 nephews.

Donald is pre-deceased by his mother Charlotte O’Quinn Spivey, father “Teddy” Tidwell and son, Stephen Tidwell.