A Memorial service for Gary James Tidwell, 70, of Richmond, Texas will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 14, 2009 in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. Gary was born October 15, 1938 in Big Spring, Texas to Roy and Dorothy Nell (Quinn) Tidwell. He passed away April 8, 2009 in Richmond. He is preceded in death by his parents. Gary is survived by his childhood sweetheart and loving wife of 49 years, Helen Boyd Tidwell, known to everyone as Punkie; son, Jamey Tidwell; daughters, Jana Montgomery-McKee and husband, Gene, Chaille Wallace and husband, Shawn; grandchildren, Matthew Montgomery and Mason Montgomery, James Donovan Tidwell Wallace and Kendyll Wallace; mother-in-law, Nita Boyd; sisters, Helen Jane Tidwell and Pat Cosby; brother, John Tidwell; along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends Rick, Kay and Lanie Montgomery. A forty four year veteran of radio/television/film broadcasting began at age fourteen as a disc jockey for KBST Radio in his home town of Big Spring, Texas. He graduated from Big Spring High School in 1956 with honors. He then went on to The University of Texas. He graduated with honors in 1960 with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in advertising. Upon graduating, he became the news director for station KRIC in Beaumont, Texas. In July of 1961, he was hired by Ray Miller as a news reporter for KPRC Channel 2 where he won numerous awards for his news reporting and later gained regional fame for his creative work as the executive producer of the award winning "Eyes of Texas" program. Gary James, as he was known at Channel 2, brought Texas history closer to the Texas people for over twenty five years. For his work on this show and other features he earned two regional "Emmys" and the prestigious "Peabody Award." Also while at Channel 2 he co-authored six successful "Eyes of Texas" travel guides, and "The Fault Does Not Lie With Your Set," a story of KPRC-TV. After more than 30 years and 750 shows, Gary retired from Channel 2. He has since produced numerous video's and authored the popular book "The Texas Guide" still available in book stores today. Honorary Pallbearers include Bill Springer, Bob Gordon, Jose Campos, Phil Archer, Dwain Newman, Jerry Cousins, Jim Hiett, Robert Clayton and Brad Basset. For those wishing, memorials in Gary's name may be made to the Chronic Disease Fund Attention: Resource Development, 10880 John W. Elliott Drive, Suite 400, Frisco, Texas 75034, (866) 619-5651. Condolences may be left for the Tidwell family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, Texas 77471 (281) 341-8800

Published in Houston Chronicle
Saturday, April 11, 2009, Page B5