Cary Eugene Tidwell, long-time missionary and former AG World Missions administrator and then special assistant to the executive director of AGWM, passed away in his home on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. He was 68.

Tidwell and his wife, Charlie Faye (Melton) were married in 1965. They chose to be career missionaries, serving overseas with AGWM for 20 years. They began their missionary service in West Africa, working there with five countries over the next 7 years. They then served in Europe for the next 13 years, ministering in 12 countries and Cary directing the Eurasia Teen Challenge.

The Tidwells returned to the United States to continue their ministry at the AGWM national offices in Springfield, Missouri. Following serving as the director of AGWM Personnel and Family Life, Cary served the next 8 years as AGWM administrator. During that time, in 2006, Faye passed away. In 2010, he was named the special assistant to the AGWM executive director, before retiring in 2011.

Tidwell was preceded in death by his mother, Wanda, and his wife, Faye. He is survived by his father, Lester, and step-mother, Billye (Nan) Tidwell; a sister, Tonya, and her husband, Troy Drake; daughters, Kimberly Tidwell and Chele and her husband, Doug Sachs; and three grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, June, 19, 2013, at Greenlawn Funeral Home East in Springfield, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday (also at Greenlawn) with burial following at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AGWM HealthCare Ministries.