Obituary

Dr. Walter Edward Tisdale

June 12, 1933 - January 24, 2025

Dr. Walter Edward Tisdale, age 91 and resident of Bogalusa, LA, passed away on January 24, 2025 in Broussard, LA.  He was born on June 18, 1933 in Bogalusa, LA to Cynicus D. “CD” and Edith Wood Tisdale.  Walter attended and graduated from Bogalusa High School where he lettered in basketball.  He later attended LSU and was a member of the Lambda Chi fraternity before graduating and moving on to Loyola School of Dentistry where he graduated and began a successful career as a dentist in Bogalusa.  

In 1957 he married Denise Burruss, a marriage that spanned 65 years.  His love for family was paramount and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren any chance he got, often taking trips for the holidays to the mountains to snow ski, Caribbean cruises, Florida Beaches, or to the camp for water skiing, fishing, and sailing. He and his wife Denise loved traveling the world going all over from Alaska to Europe.  They also loved traveling with their Mardi Gras groups Roogaroo and GG’s to gather throws and buy costumes for the MCCA parade.

Walter spent a life full of service to his community, professionally being a member of numerous professional organizations, such as LA Dental Association, civically as a member of many civic organizations, such as Kiwanis, and spiritually as a member and leader of many roles in his church.  He was a member of 1St Baptist Church in Bogalusa where he served in many capacities such as a Deacon, Director and Leader of The RA’s, as well as on many committees that the church had.  

Those who will cherish his memory are his son Barry (Janet) Tisdale; his daughter Terri (David) Dawes; grandchildren Andrew Walter (Emily) Tisdale, Dana Dawes (Mark) Blanchard, Zach (Andrea) Dawes, and Amanda Tisdale (Stephen) McDonald; great grandchildren Nicholas McDonald, Caroline McDonald, Lena Blanchard, and Walter “Walt” Tisdale.

Preceding Walter in death are his parents CD and Edith Tisdale, and his wife Denise B. Tisdale.

The service to celebrate Walter’s life will be held Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:30 pm in the chapel at Poole Ritchie Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am with the visitation remaining open until the service time.  Rev. Josh Powell will officiate and Stephen McDonald will assist.  Interment will follow at Ponemah Cemetery in Bogalusa, LA.

Flowers will be accepted but if donations preferred, please send donations to First Baptist Church of Bogalusa, 541 Avenue F, Bogalusa, LA 70427.