David Emil Tidlund (Dave) of Granbury, Texas passed away on December 16, 2024 at the age of 87 years old. He was born on June 25, 1937 and was the eldest of two sons of David F. Tidlund, a Swedish immigrant, and Ruth Peterson Tidlund, a first generation Swede. He was raised in Minneapolis, MN. and learned from his father how to fix anything and everything. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and married his high school sweetheart, Sharon (Sherry) Sampson, his wife of 68 years.
He enlisted in the Navy and reached the highest rank of E9 Master Chief Aviation Storekeeper. He was stationed at bases in many US cities and traveled to Spain and Japan on extended inspection tours during his career. After his military retirement he worked at General Dynamics in Fort Worth for another decade. He had an engaging sense of humor making and keeping many friends he met along the way.
After retiring twice, he and Sherry settled into a home on a golf course in Pecan Plantation. Golf became a passion which he shared with his children and grandchildren. He and Sherry spent many years participating in annual Military golf tournaments held in Huntsville Alabama, Myrtle Beach South Carolina and Pensacola Florida. Their travels also took them to Mexico, Spain, Poland, and Italy, as well as Alaskan and Caribbean cruises. They visited family in Sweden several times and learned how to “Fika” ~ a Swedish tradition of sharing coffee and sweets in midafternoon.
Like his father before him, he joined The Masons and was a Past Master of Masonic Lodge No. 438 in Arlington, Texas. He was also a member of The American Legion Post 491 in Granbury, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Sherry, daughter Susan Wilson (Philip), son Paul Tidlund, daughter Pam Spicer (Jeff), grandchildren Shelby and Kerstin Wilson, Andrew and Ben Tidlund, Garrett (Taylor) Spicer and Zane (Brooklynn) Spicer, great-grandchildren Slaytor and Wrenleigh Spicer. His brother Don Tidlund, nephews Chad (Cynthia) Tidlund, Kirk Tidlund and niece Jodi Tidlund Johnson, great-nephews Ethan Tidlund, Dylan and Drew Johnson, great-niece Whitney Johnson and cousins Bjorn Ranne, Gunnar Fransson, Birgitta Harlén, and Kerstin Söderqvist in Sweden.
The family would like to thank Lake Granbury Medical Center for the care and compassion they showed Dave and his family during his final days.
Funeral service will be held on January 22, 2025 at 2:00 pm in a committal shelter at The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery - 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211. The family will “Fika” with friends at The Retreat Senior Living in Grand Prairie - 2902 S. Beltline Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dave’s memory to a charity of your choice.
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