Henry Lawrence "Larry" Tidwell, 82, died Aug. 7, 2010, at Thorne Care Center.

He was born Dec. 29, 1927, in Cherokee, Okla., the son of Harry Minor and Helen Veatch Tidwell.

He graduated from Burlington (Okla) High School as Valedictorian in 1945. Larry served as Corporal in the United States Army Air Corps from 1946-1947. Larry was a machinist at Eaton Corporation until he retired in 1991. He managed the Riverside Village Apartments in South Hutchinson, and he volunteered with the Reno County Sheriff's Department. Larry loved auto racing and enjoyed going to the races on Friday nights in Hutchinson.

On Sept. 12, 1948, he married Dorothy Jean Ritter in Cherokee. She died Dec. 2, 1996.

Survivors include: three sons, Michael L. and wife Ruth, Corinth, Texas, Kenneth W. and wife Ronda and Gregory L., all of Hutchinson; daughter, Shari L. Lutz and husband Steve, Nickerson; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul and wife Lillian, Huntsville, Texas; a sister, Lois Watson, Mesa, Ariz.; a brother-in-law, Dwight Ritter and wife Gwen, Wichita.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Kara.

Funeral will be 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 13, 2010, at Elliott Chapel with Pastor Gary Getting officiating. Graveside service with Military Honors will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 13 at Cherokee Municipal Cemetery with Dr. Ron Hansen officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Towers.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave condolences for Larry's family.