Donald Wayne 'Big Don' Tidwell

Donald Wayne Tidwell, Sr. passed away on February 16, 2014. Born on August 19, 1947, he lived in Columbus his 66 years. Donald is preceded in death by parents, Eugene and Viola Tidwell. He is survived by life partner Nancy; siblings Howard, Roger, Carl (Darnell) and Kenneth (Debbie); children, Donald Jr., Melissa, Nicholas and Nicole; grandson Ethan Bruening; and granddaughter Kaitlyn Tidwell. Donald graduated from West High School in 1965 and Ashland University in 1969. He began his career as a commercial loan officer at City National Bank and later directed the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Business Resource Center. In 1975, he opened Golden Bird Fried Chicken, a neighborhood institution so popular it spanned 3 locations. He spent the rest of his career in construction management, where he worked on numerous projects throughout Ohio. He was a “man of the people” and fought tirelessly for equal rights. Affectionately known as “Big Don,” food has always been a way for him to bring family and friends together during holidays and for special meals such as a fish fry, lobster bake, or gourmet pizza party. To Big Don, any meal was an opportunity to have guests. His cooking embodied how to live life: communally, creatively, artistically, thoughtfully and lovingly. Always the entertainer, he will be forever missed.