Ponce De Leon "Pons" Tidwell Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ponce De Leon Tidwell Sr. 84 of Passaic returned to Gods loving arms after a peaceful transition on June 14th in Hackensack University Medical Center. Born in N.Carolina he resided in Passaic since 1963. Mr. Tidwell was a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. degree in Architectural Engineering. He worked as a structural and civil engineer. Mr. Tidwell was the 1st Black engineer to work for the Turner and Austin Construction Companies and he helped construct the engineering phase of the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center of NYC He was a Federal employee for over 30 years with the Army Corp of Engineers and EPA He was a Air Force Veteran serving from 1955-1958 Mr. Tidwell was a life member of the NAACP, the N.C. A.&T. S.U. Alumni Chapter, a life member of the DAV, (Disabled American Veterans)a member of the American Legion of Clifton the Silver Star Lodge of Passaic, several engineering organizations, a former member of the Passaic Planning Board for many years and a contributor to many local churches Mr. Tidwell his wife and college sweet heart the former Marva (Whitley)participated in the Greensboro N.C. 1960" sit in" started by his four class mates to integrate the Woolworth Lunch Counter. Mr Tidwell was a jazz musician playing the trumpet and piano since high school... He and Marva eloped while students at college and have been together for 60 years. He is survived by : his wife Marva Tidwell of Passaic 1 daughter Stephanie Tidwell of Vaux Hall, N.J 1 Son Ponce de Leon Jr. Indianapolis, Indiana 3 grands Kendal, Ponce III and Joshua other relatives and friends He was predeceased by his parents 5 brothers 3 sisters 1 daughter Lorena Miranda 1967

Ponce De Leon "Pons" Tidwell Sr.

March 31, 1935 - June 14, 2019