John Kidd came into this world on August 30, 1935, at his home in Taft, California. He lived in Taft most of his life except for a short while when his father worked for the military and the family moved to various places.
He attended Taft schools through Taft College and then received his teaching degree and Masters from Fresno State University. After graduating, he married Judy Carlson, and they moved to Cuyama and began their teaching careers. John continued his education while he and the family spent summers at Fresno where he received his Administrative Credentials. He became the Superintendent of Cuyama School District where he was employed for seventeen years.
He and Judy have two sons, Craig Carlson Kidd and Christopher Collins Kidd. He was a wonderful father and spent much time with his boys at the family ranch in Cottonwood Canyon in Cuyama. That place was dear to his heart.
John had varied interests and talents. He also loved airplanes and made many models as a child which later developed into him becoming a pilot and building his own plane. This interest even carried over to Christopher who also became a pilot and built several planes. John enjoyed nature and the family spent time camping and water skiing at Mammoth Pools during summer vacations, often with friends. That was a place he also loved and enjoyed.
Providing good education for the children in Cuyama Valley was one of John’s main goals in life. I think most students who attended the schools under his guidance would feel he succeeded in doing that. He spent much time being with the students on the playground, in the cafeteria, coaching, driving the bus, and substituting rather than sitting in his office. He dearly loved the school and Cuyama Valley.
After retiring, John worked part-time in the oilfields where he could also see his boys every day. He did this until Judy retired, they did some traveling and spent more time at their place in Morro Bay where he also liked to go and cool off in the summertime. He and Judy purchased a home in Bakersfield in 2017 knowing the ranch where they lived in Cuyama was becoming too much work. On April 29, 2019, John became ill while they were moving to Bakersfield.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Bonnie Kidd; his brother, Abby Kidd; his aunts and uncles, Kay and Bessie, Cecil and Vivian Kidd; and his beloved son, Christopher Kidd.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Kidd; his son, Craig Kidd; his sister, Mary Kidd; his grandchildren, Sara, Cory, Jamie, and Nick as well as various cousins and their families.
There will be graveside services on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. at the West Side District Cemetery, Taft, California. The family also wishes to thank Hoffmann Hospice Home for the wonderful care they provided for John and the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Hoffmann Hospice Home, 4325 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, California 93314, In Memory of John Kidd.