Dallas W. Tidwell

Tidwell, Dallas W.,

64, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2015 with his family at his side, surrounding him with love, music, and prayer.

Raised in Hobart, Indiana, he was a proud graduate of the University of Louisville School of Music, earning BM and MM degrees in clarinet performance. Dallas was a member of the Louisville Orchestra for over 27 years and performed regularly with the Kentucky Opera Association, the Louisville Ballet, and the Louisville Bach Society. An active chamber musician, he was a founding member of the Kentucky Center Chamber Players. He served as a part-time instructor of clarinet at the University of Louisville School of Music for most of his career, before joining the full-time faculty in 1996. He retired from the University in 2014 as Professor Emeritus.

Dallas' virtuosic musicianship was matched by his kindness, good humor and joy in diverse interests, including food, wine, art, architecture, golf, fly fishing, travel, home repair projects, and especially cars. As a performer, he was a generous and humble colleague, taking joy in collaboration with fellow musicians. As a teacher, he was a mentor to countless students, incorporating life lessons with lessons in music. As a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, he was loving, devoted and selfless. In each of his roles, he was an inspiration -- truly the best of the best.

Dallas was preceded in death by his mother Faith Grabill Tidwell.

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Edith Davis Tidwell, who was his partner in life and in music making; his daughter Kristen Tidwell Meiners (Eric); his father Dallas R. Tidwell; sisters Nancy Blanford (Tom), Judy Edelen (Michael), and Barbara Vickers; seven beloved nieces and nephews; a grand niece and nephew; and a host of friends, colleagues, and former students.

The family is eternally grateful to Dr. Michael Kommor and his partners Drs. John Huber and Stephen Myers, as well as to the nurses and staff of CBC Group and Baptist Health Park 3, for their compassionate and dedicated care.

A service celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 11a.m. at Highland Presbyterian Church, 1011 Cherokee Road, with burial at Cave Hill Cemetery immediately following. Visitation will be at Pearson's, 149 Breckenridge Lane, on Tuesday, May 19, from 3 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dallas Tidwell and Edith Davis Tidwell Endowed Fund in Clarinet and Voice Studies at the University of Louisville School of Music, Louisville KY 40292, or to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 301 E. Main Street #100, Louisville KY 40202.