Obituary of George M. Giddens

George McPhail Giddens passed away on November 23, 2018 at the age of 99 years.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Rebecca Pace Giddens, in 2008, and son-in-law Don Eudy in 2018, a brother-in-law Frank Pace and sisters-in-laws Katie Kerbow, Lois Butler, Bernice Fox, and Martha Pace.  He is survived by a son George G. Giddens and wife Nanette of Fredericksburg, VA and daughters Barbara Conlan of Paris, TX and Ann Eudy of Clarksville, TX.  Plus he leaves 10 grandchildren and 15 great and 13 great, great grandchildren and his faithful Schnauzer, Missy.

He was born on August 5, 1919 at Albion TX to Francis Marion Giddens and Alice Caroline Crabtree Giddens as the youngest of their four children.  He graduated from Dimple High School’s first graduating class in 1937.  George was married to Rebecca Pace on August 4, 1940 and worked as a carpenter and equipment operator in Clarksville before entering the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1944.  There he trained for and became qualified as a radio operator and machine gunner on the B-24 Liberator aircraft.  He was discharged from military duty in April 1946.

As a WWII veteran, he was recently recognized at the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Veterans Day service.  There he received a Quilt of Valor bestowed by the Quilts of Valor Foundation.  It was a timely tribute for his final visit to this annual service.    

After military service George resumed civilian occupations primarily as a heavy equipment operator and later as a foreman and superintendent on large construction projects (Lake Texarkana, Lone Star Steel Mill, Atlas and Minuteman Missile silos).  He also taught Building Trades courses at Clarksville Area Vocational School, worked at Stoneville Furniture and was plant maintenance foreman for Baker and Taylor 1970-87.  Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to the “Giddens Mini Farm” in Hopewell.

George was a devout Christian and taught a men’s Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Clarksville from 1980 till his death.  He also served as a deacon there and was involved in the demolition of the old church and construction of the “new” one built in 1957 by Clifton Kay Construction on Walnut Street.  He leaves behind many friends and family that he was a good influence on for many years. 

George was a strong believer in the value of education and was self-taught in many skills: electrician, refrigeration, construction (he could read complex blueprints and confidently carry out the design to completion).  He loved to play golf and was an avid fisherman and liked time on the lake with his friends and wife, and all his grandchildren treasure their memories of a fishing outing with Grandaddy Giddens.  He taught his grandchildren, particularly his Eudy grandsons (Chad, Brad, and Tad) much about carpentry, woodworking, and construction. 

A life well lived amid hardship and joy aptly describes that of George M. Giddens.  For a man who lost his father at 17 and his mother at 39 to live a rich life and enjoy his children’s children to the fourth generation, is a blessing few get to experience.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:00p.m. Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at First Baptist Church.

Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Gossett officiating.  Burial will follow in Stone's Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Clarksville Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial, 2035 South Collegiate, Paris, TX  75460 or the First Baptist Church, 1501 Captain Henry C. Stout Bypass, Clarksville, TX  75426.