Celebrating the Life of George Tidball

Celebrating the life of a legend.
George was a good friend and business partner of my father.
He passed away on June 3rd. A moving celebration of life was held at Thunderbird to honour his life and accomplishments. Everyone’s eyes were misty when the riderless horse came into the ring, led by George’s grandson.
George, you are one in a billion. Your legacy is inspiring, profound, and far-reaching.
To you, a most generous friend, a Grand Marnier toast to send off your unmatchable soul.
xo

http://www.georgetidball.com/

TIDBALL, George
George Murray Tidball passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on June 3, 2014 at the age of 83 years. Our ever-optimistic father lived his final days in Naramata looking over the lake with a glass of red wine in hand. George was born in Carstairs, Alberta. His mother Margaret thought he was such a beautiful baby she nicknamed him Bud (short for rosebud). He started his education in a one room school house, graduated from Penticton High, failed his first year at UBC, and then graduated top of his year as a Chartered Accountant. In 1952 he married his great love and business partner Dianne. George and Dianne left secure incomes to roll the dice over and over again. During his first job as an accountant with Alcan in Kitimat, George so impressed a visiting Harvard professor that he was offered a scholarship. George and his wife Dianne and three children went to Boston and two years later he graduated at the top of his MBA class as a Baker’s Scholar. George then moved his family to Chicago and pursued a PhD in economics with Milton Friedman. Tired of being a poor student, he took a position with consulting firm McKinsey and Company. He drove back to the West Coast in a Volkswagon Beetle to be a consultant for MacMillan Bloedel. Dianne missed the child-friendly fast food at McDonald’s and urged George to visit their headquarters on a business trip. McDonald’s president Ray Kroc was impressed with thirty-four year old George’s brazenness, youth and Harvard qualifications. George brought McDonald’s to Richmond in 1967. He sold out of McDonald’s and created his own restaurant chain: The Keg and Cleaver in 1971. The Tidball family moved out to Langley and started Thunderbird Equestrian Center, now rated number two in North America. He was involved with many other business ventures including the Spaghetti Factory, A&W, and Apex ski resort. If you asked George to highlight his accomplishments he would include placing fourth in a pro team roping competition at the Cloverdale rodeo and winning a golf tournament at 81. He was proudest of all his children and grandchildren’s successes and their work ethic. As well, it gave him great joy to be part of the journey to success of his friends from the McDonald’s and Keg days. His best friends range from cowboys to heavy equipment operators to CEOs. He was predeceased by his parents Bert and Margaret Tidball, his brothers Bill and Larry and many special nieces and nephews. George is survived by his loving sister Sara Lee and brother Jim. He is greatly missed by wife Dianne; children Kathy (Mark), Stephen (Trish), Jane and Laura (Brent) as well as grandchildren: Christine, Jill (Max) and Scott; George (Trisha) and Stephanie (Quinten); Laura Jane, and Matthew. Two great-grandchildren, Rees and Logan, lit up his life. No flowers please. Donations to the Dianne Tidball Legacy fund at Thunderbird Show Park would be much appreciated.