Olin Derus Tisdale, (Daddy, Pop, Uncle, Pappa) was born April 29, 1925 in McDavid, FL to Oscar & Ruth Tisdale. The second of four kids, he grew up hunting fishing, playing the trombone, and delivering blocks of ice for families' iceboxes.  At seventeen, he lied about his age to serve the US in WWII.  This love of country and desire to serve was one of the defining loves in Olin's life. He served in the Pacific during the war, then later in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, including as part of the blockade during the Cuban Missile crisis. Assignments included the USS Hornet, USS Philippine Sea and USS Saratoga, among others. A Hospital Corpsman Master Chief, he was involved in studies related to space flight and he was part of the recovery crew for Mercury 8, and at one point coached the Navy competition rifle team, while stationed at Mayport Naval Base.

After retiring in 1975 with thirty-two years of service to his country, Olin finished his BS in Coastal Zone Management and obtained an MBA in Health Care Administration from the University of West Florida.  He then dedicated fifteen years in service to his community as a licensed nursing home administrator. Even after retiring a second time to a third career as gentleman farmer and beekeeper, he continued to serve his country through coastal zone management committees and jury service, giving as little information as possible in order to ensure he was selected! The value Olin placed in his country and service was shared with his family – one son retired from the Army and two grandsons currently serve in the Navy and Air Force.  Family was another critical love in Olin's life. He married Maxine Smith in 1946, and they had two sons and two daughters over the next thirteen years, moving back and forth across the country with the Navy.

Olin never met a stranger, so acquaintances quickly became friends, and friends became family. As his children married, he gained another four children, then eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Spending part of the summer at Pappa's was always a treat.  He shared his passions for hunting, fishing (& frying fish) and building (trophy winning) model airplanes with his grandchildren. He taught most of them how to drive the big blue tractor before they could legally drive a car. His carpentry skills were lovingly shared in building baby cradles, hope chests, and a doll house. When anyone needed anything, Olin showed up with tool box in hand to help – be it building a son's house, remodeling a daughter's closet, or keeping any of the grandkids. Thousands of miles were driven and flown around the world to visit and stay close.

After Maxine's death, he became reacquainted with a childhood friend, Clydell. They married in 2002 and with this, his family extended further to include her son, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Lastly, but most importantly, was his love of his Lord and Savior.  Olin's faith came out in action more than words - singing in the choir, participating in Sunday school, serving as a deacon, and faithfully supporting the ministry of his church with his prayers, presence, gifts and service. He built churches in Brazil and many a set for Christmas and Easter pageants, and he participated in disaster relief in Alaska. His faith was very real and shared with his family and friends.  Some of his last words were that he was ready to be with Jesus!  More than medals, degrees, or things built, Olin's greatest legacy is in the three generations of Christ followers he leaves behind him.  Olin is survived by his wife Clydell, daughters Cathy & Patty, sons Ed & Riley, step-son Harry, sister Kate, twelve grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren, plus many friends and adopted family!