Mr. Jack Boyd Gidden

CSM (Ret)Jack Boyd Gidden, 95, of Scottsboro passed away October 3, 2023 at home after a prolonged illness. He was born March 14, 1928 in Scottsboro, Alabama, the son of Herbert Bryan Giddens and Pearl (Lindsay) Giddens. Jack was born three months prematurely due to his mother contracting rubella. He thrived at a time when few prematurely born babies survived. Jack left school in the 9th grade to work on his family farm. He later joined the National Guard, Company A 1423rd Combat Engineers in Scottsboro, and his unit shipped out to the Korean Conflict December 1950. Jack obtained his GED after joining the Army and served 28 years with distinction, achieving the rank of Command Sargeant Major. Jack served as an Army combat engineer with experience in military intelligence. He served three tours in Korea, one tour in Vietnam, and two tours in Europe. For his service, Jack earned numerous commendations and medals, including the Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Distinguished Service award. He met his wife Estela Chavez in Texas. They celebrated their 63nd wedding anniversary last June. After retiring from military service to his country, Jack and his family settled in Scottsboro where he worked for Revere Copper & Brass and Sherwin Williams before “retiring for good”. Not one to be idle, Jack went on to work with electronics and filled his workshop with projects. Jack had a great love for dogs and shared this love with his children and grandchildren. He had a passion for reading, cars, hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors. One of his most favorite places and people was Unclaimed Baggage and its employees. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Edith Giddens Tribble Stark, brothers Charles B. Giddens, Elmo L. Giddens, James (Jim) L. Gidden. He is survived by his wife, Estela Chavez Gidden; siblings, Zelda Ann Giddens and Gary F. Giddens; son, Jack B. Giddens II (Gwen) of Spokane, WA; daughters Virginia P. (Ginger) Gidden-Weinzierl (Timothy), of Decatur, GA; Kathleen J. (Kathy) Gidden Brown (Jefferey) of Jackson’s Gap, AL; five grandchildren, Bryan Giddens (Seda) of Seattle, WA; Ethan N. Brown (Lauren) of Troy, AL; Elena L. Brown Palfreeman (Antonio) of Sanford, NC; Amory M Weinzierl of Dallas, TX; and Lindsay F. Weinzierl of the US Naval Academy/Annapolis MD; and five great grandchildren, Riley and Aspen Giddens, Maxton and Stetson Brown, and Bridger Palfreeman; plus nieces, Charlene Oody, Brenda Ellen Wallen, Christy Gidden, and Cheryl Giddens. The family would like to extend a special thank you to family friend, Maria Campos and Aveanna Hospice in Scottsboro, nurses Lindsey Hannah and Brandy Smith. Those wishing to remember Jack in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the American Cancer Society.

Mr. Jack Boyd Gidden

March 14, 1928 - October 3, 2023