Obituary of Gene Tisdale

Essay written by Gene's daughter, Sheryl

"Dad, My Most Unforgettable Character!"



When I was a child, Mom had to leave for work before I got up, so Dad prepared my 'hot' breakfast and helped me get ready for school. He was a regular Mr. Mom, who taught me that Fathers could be very nurturing.

Every morning, we'd go through the same ritual. First, there were the questions: Did I have my house key? Did I have a hanky? Did I have enough lunch money? Did I have my parents' work numbers? Did I have the neighbor's phone number? Did I have my homework and finally, did I have my umbrella? ( Even if there was no chance of rain in the forecast, weather can be too unpredictable and weather men and women can be wrong, you know.)

Then there were the home alone rules:

Stay in the house.

Keep the doors locked.

Don't answer the door.

Don't let anyone know you're by yourself.

Go to the neighbor's house if you need something or get lonesome. (Get lonesome? I was only by myself for 15 minutes after school!)



When I was attending elementary school in Ohio, Dad insisted that I wear snow pants until the arrival of May or so it seemed. My first grade teacher would occasionally become frustrated with me, since I often took my snow pants off over my boots and would get my feet stuck. That generally delayed the start of class. Finally, the teacher sent a note to Dad saying that I really didn't need to wear those snow pants, since winter was over.



Also, I was the last one at school, in my opinion, to leave my house without boots, a coat, a scarf, a hat and gloves every Spring and I was the first one to start wearing all that attire in the Fall. Quite often, Dad would 'go out of his way' to pick up the neighborhood kids and drive them to school with me whenever the weather was real bad. He'd often ask the kids, "Where are your boots? Where is your hat? Where are your gloves? Don't you think you need an umbrella? Oh yes, and we'll wait while you go back into your house to get such and such. Dad had the neighborhood kids trained before Christmas, which included the boy, whose mom couldn't even get him to button his coat, because he wanted to act macho! I'll bet the teachers could identify our particular neighborhood, because here we all came, dressed like "Nanook of the North!"



I truly believe that some of the kids actually wore those items just to please Dad, because they seemed to love him and thought he was pretty cool. Also, it was a small price for them to pay, so that they wouldn't have to wait for the bus in nasty weather.



Dad was amazing, because he was even worried about the neighborhood kids and in his mind, he was trying to keep them healthy and comfortable. Dad did ease up when I started to High School. Of course, he regularly left before I did, so maybe I forgot (?) my boots, umbrella, snow pants, etc.



Even after I grew up and took a job in another city, which was 45 minutes away, he'd call to remind me to leave early when the roads were icy. He'd always say, "Remember, bridges freeze first!" Every day, when I drove over that tiny bridge, regardless of the weather, I could hear Dad's warning. In fact, to this day, whenever I go over "any" bridge, I always say, remember, bridges freeze first, as I think of Dad. Since Jacksonville is a city of bridges, I get to say that a lot -- even though bridges don't normally freeze here.



Dad was one in a million and I really miss him, as do many other people. He never knew a stranger and would generally hug everyone, who crossed his path. Dad taught me by example how to show my love and concern for others. He didn't just "talk the talk," he "walked the walk" and he taught me that the measure of a man is not by what he says, but by what he does.

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Funeral Home Obituary

Gene (Tis) Tisdale, 83, passed away on Friday, August 3, 2012. He was born in Hebron, Ohio on Oct 4, 1928 to the late Mary and Charles Tisdale. Gene is preceded in death by Aubrey and Kathleen Richards, sister Dolores Richards. Aubrey and Kathleen Richards made a place in their loving home for Gene. They were the ones, who made him the kind, considerate and thoughtful person he became.

Gene served in the United States Army and graduated from Kent State University in Ohio and was a life time member of Delta Sigma Pi fraternity and enjoyed gardening, golfing, fishing, horses, lunches at Marti's caf and dinners at Ruby Tuesday. He retired from The University of Akron where he was on the Administrative Faculty.

Gene is survived by his loving wife Betty Tisdale of 62 wonderful years; daughter Sheryl (Lou) Livatino; step-grandson Louis who is serving in Kuwait; sisters Helena (Paul) Wagner, Phyllis Smith; brothers Donald Bowen, Donald (Katie) Richards; nieces Becky Carpenter, Pam Smith, Janet Smith, Susan Kelly, Sandy Knuckles, Ann Shaner, Jennifer Bowden and Cindy Winkleman; nephews Donald Wagner, Kenneth Smith, Douglas Richards and other nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Sue Jarvis and beloved dog Tia.

Family will receive friends at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, for a visitation on Thursday, August 9, 2012 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral service is private for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to your favorite charities.

His hugs will be missed.