August Roy Tisdale

August Roy Tisdale Sr. was born on January 11, 1934 here in Charleston South Carolina to Celia and John C. Tisdale. He grew up here as well and became an honorable and courageous young man who took it upon himself at the tender age of 16 to lie to Uncle Sam so that he could serve his country. Just weeks later he was shipped off to war with the United States Army. August was a Paratrooper with the 11th Airborn Division and returned after an extensive injury to both legs, sustained during a jump. Upon the culmination of a lengthy recovery, he pursued a dream of firefighting and got his career started with the City of Charleston as a young man. August spent over 20 years with the City of Charleston Fire Department while raising his children with his devoted wife Jewel - to whom he was faithfully and happily married for over 40 years. Having become widowed in 2003, when Jewel passed away, Papa was heard saying over and over in his final days that he longed to just go home to be with his wife. Papa lived his entire life in selfless service of others - from Army to Fire Department to the everyday care he took with all of his family. He is survived by four children : Shelia (53), Linda (51), Roy (50) and Debbie (44) ; Nine Grandchildren and Thirteen Great-Grands - all of whom he had the utmost pride, joy and love every day. Although he passed away rather suddenly, Papa was at complete peace with the long and wonderful life full of Family, Service, Commitment, Joy and lots and lots of Love that he was blessed enough to have lived.