John Edward Kidd, 79, Vice President of Operations for over 25 years at Alabama Metals Industries Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama passed away peacefully on March 30, 2023, at Grandview Hospital in Birmingham Alabama. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Paris Kidd and mother, Blanche Evelyn Bostic of Sinks Grove, West Virginia.
John is survived by his five children: Scott Kidd (Mary Kidd), Lauren Kidd Morris (Brad Morris) Sara Kidd, Adam Kidd (Meredith Kidd) and Simon Kidd. Grandchildren; Cirene, Justin, John Michael, Molly Beth, Braelee, Breann, Russell and Baker. Great grandchildren; Kaia and Tristan. Sisters; Rita Carol Winkle and Rosalee Keeling.
John was a respected hard worker from his humble upbringing on the family farm in Sinks Grove, West Virginia. After graduating from Union High School in 1961, he attended West Virginia Institute of Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965. His determination led him to pursue a Master’s Degree of Business Administration at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, Class of 1972. With his education, determination, and strong work ethic John was successful in the steel industry first working at Butler Buildings in Tennessee as Plant Manager. Then he moved to Birmingham, Alabama to start his next career as Vice President at AMICO.
He attended Highlands church, loved socializing at local restaurants including Cheesecake Factory and
J Alexanders where you could find him designing his next big project on a restaurant napkin. It is said that he designed his latest house on a napkin in the many local restaurants he patronized.
John loved his family dearly and was an ardent supporter of his children and their success. This was a result of his own ambition and perseverance of many years of working while simultaneously going to school. Over the years, many were privy to John’s generosity from volunteering of his time, helping someone in need, offering his expertise for a construction or home improvement project. His quiet, gentle nature endured through his life and remains part of his legacy.
Among his many loves was music, especially guitar. He also had a strong passion for fishing, spending time with his family at his beach house in Destin, Florida and watching Alabama football. He was an avid runner, master griller and technical drawer. He loved analyzing technical data and often drew his ideas on cocktail napkins. Some would describe him as a stock market follower, metal master, guitar picker, jazz listener, polo wearer, warm water drinker and rain lover.
The family expresses their deep appreciation to the SICU staff at Grandview hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.
The pallbearers are Scott Kidd, Adam Kidd, Simon Kidd, John Michael McAllister, David Baker, and Martin Baker.
A celebration of life will be held at Southern Heritage funeral home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, Alabama on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2 pm. He will be laid to rest garden side immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your preferred local charity.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.1