Michael Boyd Tidwell

Michael Boyd Tidwell May 6, 1951 - March 9, 2013 Michael passed away peacefully at his home in Weitchpec with his family by his side. Michael was born to Boyd and Lodena Tidwell on May 6, 1951 in Arcata, CA. Michael was baptized at Arcata First Baptist Church when he was 12 years old. Michael went through the Arcata school system, proving to be an exceptional athlete at a very young age, lettering in several sports and graduating from Arcata High School in 1969. For many years he played on the beer league with many good friends. Michael always said "He had places to go, people to meet, and things to do," which he did. He lived in Hawaii on the beach for several years and was a "Rough neck" in the oil fields in Wyoming and Utah. He lived and worked in Lake Tahoe for several years and loved to ski. Returning to Arcata, he worked at Schminbauer and Arcata Redwood. He moved to Willow Creek and met and married Phila Minard in 1991. When he married Phila he gained a son Philip. Michael loved the Willow Creek-Hoopa-Weitchpec area. He played on the Hoopa men's baseball team. He was the only white man and the team called him "Iron Claw." Michael lived the last 24 years of his life in Weitchpec. Michael was big, burly, and loud. If you ever met him you never forgot him. He had many lifelong friends and made friends easily. He especially loved children and they loved him right back. He loved teasing them by removing his false eye. They thought he was a pirate. Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents Wiley and Ida Tidwell, Elmer and Louise Pack, and his father Boyd Clinton Tidwell. He is survived by his wife Phila Tidwell, mother Lodena Tidwell, and three children. Melissa who gave him three beautiful grandchildren, Carlee, Keyon, and Kaylon. Phillip gave him 2 grandchildren and a great grandchild. Madelyn, Jesse, and Eddie. His little daughter Naomi who put curlers in his hair and painted his toe nails. She was also teaching him the Yurok language. He last word was moos moos which means cow. He is also survived by his two sisters Susan Eillis (Glenn), Sharon Harpe (Wade), and brother-in-law Roger Bennett (Jo). He had many nieces and nephews Clinton, Mitchel, Kerri, Christopher, Brianna, Jennifer, Tatnal, Adeline, Jake, Amanda, Kyndel, Landon, Jared, Sandra, Tyler, Travis and his uncle Vinal, Aunt Syliva and many cousins. He also leaves behind many special friends Mike "the mig", Randy, Walt, Ted, Frank, Marvin, Danny, Dewey, Dennis, Jimmy, Bob, and his beloved dog Russell Crowe Dog. Michael will be missed by his family and friends. He was loved by all. A memorial will be held on April 13, 2013 at 1:00pm at the Weitchpec church. A potluck reception will follow at the Yurok Tribal Office. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-STandard.com, click obits.