Jack Dean Tidball

Jack Dean Tidball age 61 of Rison, died Monday, May 10, 2010 at the V. A. Hospital in Little Rock, following an operation. He was born June 20, 1948 in Warren, a son of the late Paul B. Tidball and Cecelia Clark Tidball. Mr. Tidball served in the United States Navy, where he worked on nuclear submarines. He received his bachelors and masters degrees from Henderson State University. Mr. Tidball formerly served with the faculty of Providence College in Rhode Island and Arkansas A and M at Monticello. He was of the Presbyterian faith.

He was an avid Duplicate Bridge player. He achieved the rank of Silver Life Master with over 2,000 points which put Jack in the upper reaches of the 94%th percentile in the American Contract Bridge League. Mr. Tidball also served as President of District 10, and was an active board member of the Little Rock Duplicate Bridge Club. He loved to share his extensive Bridge knowledge with players less talented than he. Mr. Tidball had a very gentle way of imparting his expertise that made everyone feel very comfortable. In the words of one of his mentees My personal story is that he played downWay down as my partner in the Hot Springs Regional four years ago, and three of us racked up half the gold needed to make Life Master. Nothing he had to do, just something a guy like Jack would do to help lower-ranking players. Mr. Tidball taught many classes at the Bridge Club, both to the more advanced players and especially to the newer players struggling to improve their game. He didnt teach; he shared. Mr. Tidball had the ability to understand the needs of the newcomer and meet those needs with good humor; he had a way of explaining even the most complicated concepts in easy to understand lessons. Mr. Tidball was special at the Bridge table and special in the real world. You could always count on Jack to offer a helping hand, you never had to ask; he would just be there saying How can I help? He was not a boisterous person; he was just there when you needed him. Mr. Tidball will be missed by all that knew him, worked with him, and cared about him.

Mr. Tidball is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Ann Tidball of Madison, Virginia; one sister and brother-in-law, Frances and George Holman of Madison, Mississippi ; two nephews; five nieces and many cousins.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 13, 2010 at Buie Funeral Chapel with burial in the Kingsland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00p.m., prior to service. Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.