SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Umpire and long-time Warren County Middle School principal Gerald Tidwell died on Saturday after collapsing on the field during a baseball game.
Tidwell died from a heart attack.
Executive director of the TSSAA, Bernard Childress had this to say on the incident:
"Unfortunately, this is true. The umpire that passed away was Gerald Tidwell. We have not been able to confirm whether he died on the field after collapsing, on the way to the hospital, or at the hospital. This has been devastating and so surreal. These moments remind us how sacred life is and how unimportant the sporting events we oversee are in the big scheme of things. Our thoughts and prayers go out the the Tidwell family. We are keeping our focus on God knowing that He will see them through this."
Warren County Schools director, Grant Swallows voiced his condolences on Twitter.
Some things have brought a sense of perspective today. The world of education is hard. Dealing with people is hard. Tragedy is really hard. The smile he had on his face & high five he gave me right before this picture was pure joy, & I want more of that. I hope I always remember. pic.twitter.com/IF0jlYv3MV
— Grant Swallows (@WCSDirector) May 9, 2021
Tidwell has been the principal of Warren County Middle School since 2011. He spent 30 years in education, 17 as a teacher and coach and 13 as an administrator.
He is survived by his wife, Valerie and his two sons, Jordan and Daniel.
