In 2007, in my opinion, I had the perfect family. I had three beautiful, athletic, happy boys ages 6 ½ , 11 ½, and 15, and a husband whom I adored, who was a Lieutenant 18-year veteran on the OKC Fire Dept. But then on May 17, 2007, my life would be forever changed. My husband, Michael, and my middle son, Justin, were coming home from a baseball game when a drunk/high driver crossed the median at 119th and I-44, went airborne and came through the cab of Michael’s truck, hitting them head on, killing both of them instantly. I buried Justin, alongside his daddy, on his 12th birthday.
Michael had an amazing heart to serve his family and fellow man and devoted his life to answering the call of duty as a firefighter for the Oklahoma City Fire Dept. He was a very devoted husband and father and was very involved in all three of his son’s lives whether it be coaching or anything they needed. His boys were his whole world. He was very athletic and still holds home run records at Guthrie OK Highschool. He played for the OKCFD softball team where he won several personal MVP awards in National tournaments against other FD teams. He was very competitive and worked hard to be the best in everything he did.
Michael and Justin were both very fondly remembered by their peers. There is a Tiderman memorial at the Del City ballpark on the last field Justin played on and Michael coached at. There is a Tiderman memorial at Guthrie High School on the baseball field and there is a Tiderman memorial baseball building in our home-town of Tuttle, OK named after them.
We were a very close family and I never in my wildest dreams thought this would happen to me. I am so glad we told each other we loved each other often!
