Alonzo L. Tidball, age 82, of Jasper, Missouri, passed away Tuesday afternoon, August 15, 2017, surrounded by his family at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.
Lon was born September 22, 1934, in Barton County, Missouri to Pedro Clifton and Lena Mae (Bright) Tidball. Because his mother died while Lon was an infant, he and his two-year-old sister Evelyn were raised by their great-aunt, Jessie Lucas in the home of Grandpa Lucas. Over the years, it became home to Con Lucas and Jack Tidball, as well as their father, Pedro Tidball. Alonzo was the last surviving member of this close-knit family group.
Growing up in rural Barton County in the 1930’s and 40’s, Lonzo learned early-on to fish and hunt, often providing a squirrel, rabbit or enough fish to feed the family. The one-room Blue School house where he attended through the eighth grade also served as his Blue Sunday school classroom. Alonzo graduated from Jasper High School in 1952 and briefly attended Pittsburg College. In addition to full-time farming, he had worked at Lawn-Boy in Lamar. Lonzo was an innovative and visionary steward of the land he loved, an avid gardener who blessed many people with the bounty of his garden. He was one of the first in the area to implement an irrigation system and was undaunted by the challenges of producing green beans, cucumbers, and sunflowers, as well as his main-stay soybeans, corn and wheat.
On August 31, 1956, in Lamar, Alonzo married Mary Jane Moore and their love for each other, their four children, and the farm they called home for nearly 61 years was clearly evident in their daily lives. They enjoyed road trips, whether short or long, a $20 adventure at a casino, following the Kansas City Royals, and any opportunity to visit with friends and family. Lon never met a stranger and his favorite pastime included a cup of coffee, good stories, and the fellowship of great friends at Judy’s, Sharon’s, and Peggy’s.
Survivors include his beloved Mary Jane; their four children, Mark Tidball, Carthage, Teresa (David) Carpenter, Jasper, Mike (Kimbi) Tidball, Carthage and Tracy (Chad) Keutzer, Jasper; eleven grandchildren, Matthew Carpenter, Rebecca Isemann, Caleb, Jacob, Isaac, Eliza, and Jarrod Tidball, Monica Baugh, Jimmy Keutzer, Tyler and Trevor Tidball; and six great-grandchildren. Lonzo was looking forward to welcoming two more great-grandchildren to the family in the coming months.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 21st at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in Waters Cemetery, southwest of Jasper.
Because of Lon’s long-term dedication and service as president of the board of Waters Cemetery, memorial contributions are suggested to Waters Cemetery in care of the funeral home.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net
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