Deacon Xavier Tidwell

Please Note: Do to the COVID 19, Mr. Tidwell's service has limited capacity for family and invitees only. Please stream into King Baptist Live Stream to participate.

Xavier Ollen (X.O) Tidwell was born on April 17, 1935 in Rosston, Arkansas. He was the third child born to Veria Ollison and Charlie Tidwell. Growing up, he loved to hunt and fish with his older siblings; Orlandis and Oleria. He had a passion for baseball and was #1 pitcher! He attended Rosston High and graduated valedictorian.

X.O would go to different neighborhoods to collect wood on the “Billy Wood” truck. While riding in a neighborhood in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a pretty woman by the name of Carlene Tidwell caught his eye. Since he didn’t say much, she thought the other gentleman was liking her, until X.O started coming around more. On May 4, 1957, X.O and Carlene got married in their Pastor’s home. Soon after, they had their first two children, Harold Nicholas and Calvin Douglas. In 1958 they then relocated to Sioux City, Iowa where they continued to build a family: Britt Elliott, Deidra Renae and Andrew Todd. X.O believed in working hard to provide for his family. In 1965, he came to Denver, CO to find work, as a Furnace Operator at ASARCO. In 1966, he moved his family here and from there, he continued to build his legacy. His children’s favorite memories were asking him to buy a dishwasher, to which he replied, “why buy a dishwasher when I have five dishwashers already?!” He enjoyed taking his family on vacations, attending family reunions, having picnics with his family in the park and even taking them to the drive-in movie theater on the weekends. Carlene would pop popcorn and make sandwiches and the kids would get in their pajamas, so when he got home from work, they could pile up in the car and go see a movie.

X.O enjoyed having his grandchildren around. He referred to all of them as “Boocat”. He would love for them all to have a slumber party at his home and dye Easter eggs with them every year. For Christmas, he would give them $50. As they got older, he established “Fried Chicken Wednesday”, so that the family could have a day, out of a week to be together.

Not only was he a member and Deacon of King Baptist church, but he was also one of the founders! He helped build the church - which still stands today, 52 years later. He also was a part of the Mason and Shriner organization. In his free time, he enjoyed barbecuing, mowing the lawn, taking and picking up his “Boocats” from school and loved going to the grocery stores daily to catch sales.

His best friends were Gerald Hanns, J.C Parker and Ervin Judkins. He will best be remembered for his great smile, laugh and wisdom.

His assignment on earth was completed on April 24, 2021.

He is survived by his wife Carlene; children: Doug, Britt, Deidra and Todd. His grandchildren Ebony, Brittany, Tanezareè and Caleb. Great-grandchildren: Kyrell, K’Mauri, Khila, Marshala, Pierre and Miss Parker. His brother Orlandis and a host of nieces and nephews.

What he would say when departing from his family and friends when they visited him:

“Thanks for stopping by”