Charles Edward Tidwell, the eldest son of Harry and Verlean Tidwell, was born in Independence, Kansas. He ran track for Independence High School and the University of Kansas, where he tied or broke several world records and won five National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles. In 1959, he married Karen Kay Burnett of Cherryvale, with whom he had two daughters, Richelle and Gina.

Before his employment at Honeywell in Denver, Colorado, Charles participated in the 1960 Olympic trials and received tryouts from the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and Denver Broncos. He and wife Karen died in August 1969.