Murray Kidd

Age 77, of Birmingham, AL, passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Murray served in the Army Reserves as First Lieutenant for many years. Murray received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1959 from Auburn University and practiced in Birmingham for over 45 years. He opened his own firm in 1965 as Murray Kidd, Architect and that firm later became KPS Group with offices in Birmingham, Atlanta and Huntsville. He was the founder and the managing principal for many years during which time the firm completed many landmark projects in the Birmingham area including the Federal Courthouse, the main branch of the Birmingham Public Library and the Linn Henley Research Library, corporate headquarters for Parisians and Southern Progress and the first new suburban office buildings in the Highway 280 corridor at Perimeter Park. When he retired in 2003, KPS Group was and remains one of the largest architecture firms in Alabama. He served his alma mater, Auburn University, as a member and Chair of the Board of Advisors of the School of Architecture and personally mentored many young architects and contractors. A member of the American Institute of Architects throughout his entire professional life, he held every position in the Birmingham Chapter including its presidency. He served three times as a council director and was an active participant in AIA activities for over 35 years. He represented his profession in the community as president of Horizon 280, and a director of Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama. He worked for many years with the Arthritis Foundation. He was recognized twice by the Subcontractors Association of Alabama as Architect of the Year. Murray also served as president of the Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Club. Murray was a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Judy Davis Kidd; his four daughters, Kelly Kidd Cline, Kristie Kidd Metcalf, Scottie Kidd Swindle, Anne Kidd Fischer; his two granddaughters Shelby Scott Swindle, Madison Ruth Metcalf; his eight grandsons Graham Taylor Wilkinson, Scott Davis Wilkinson, Collin Bain Metcalf,Paxton Murray Metcalf, Robert Eugene Swindle, Jr., Pierce Davis Swindle, Christian Kidd Fischer, John Samuel Fischer and one great granddaughter Laine Molina Wilkinson. He is also survived by his brother Benjamin E. Kidd and sister Evelyn Maurine Kidd Voight. Murray will be especially remembered for his kind and loving nature, his generosity, his upstanding moral character, his hardworking nature and as an avid Auburn fan. War Eagle! There will be a Celebration of Life visitation at Rideout's Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209 from 5-7pm, Monday, October 21, 2013 and the Memorial service will be at Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35213 at 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are welcome and should be made in memory of Murray to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, 300 Snow Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209.