- Date Of Birth: August 16, 1914
- Date Of Death: March 10, 2008
- State: New Mexico
Jonas Benton Tidwell began life on Aug. 16, 1914, in Westminster, Texas, the first of five children born to a Southern Baptist minister, Jonas Oliver and wife Effie Laura Tidwell.
He lived in 16 different Texas towns before graduating high school in Lovington, N.M., ranking third highest in his class. While attending New Mexico Highlands University he met Maggie Jordan who became his bride on June 1, 1935. They were married 55 years until she went to be with the Lord in 1990. Shortly after their marriage, they joined the First Baptist Church of Hobbs, where he has served as Sunday school teacher of men and boys, assistant Sunday school department superintendent, Training Union Department director, Baptist’s Men’s Brotherhood president, chairshy;man of Long Range Planning and Building Committee chairshy;man. His first experience teaching Sunday school was for 16-year-old young men. One of these young men climbed out the window one Sunday; yet many years later served as a church leader in Hobbs.
J.B. served for three years as a member of New Mexico Baptist Mission Board beginshy;ning in 1962. He also served as board member of the New Mexico Baptist Church Loan Corporation, New Mexico Baptist Foundation and the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home. J.B.’s sense of patriotshy;ism compelled him to enlist in the Navy during World War II. He served three years beginshy;ning in 1942.
J.B. Tidwell was owner of Tidwell Motor Company. He began his Chrysler franchise in 1945 with 11 cars. The building he built in 1947 was under his continushy;ous ownershy;ship until December 2007 and still stands at 219 N. Turner. He had many trustshy;ed long-term employees, among them Leroy Mason, Venita Tipps, Criselda Chavez, Richard Villalobos and Jim Troy. Many residents of Hobbs were touched by the generosity and integrity of his business dealings. His position as Direcshy;tor of American Fidelity was used to better the lives and homes of the community: He felt privileged to serve his community as Chamber of Commerce Director and Vice President.
He took his greatest pride in serving the Gideon’s International for over 40 years; New Mexico Baptist Foundation, where he served on the board for nine three-year terms; and Boy’s and Girl’s Ranches of New Mexico.
To quote Mr.
