David Richard Kidd's Obituary
David Richard Kidd, age 72, of Byron Center, Michigan, formerly of
Decatur, IL, died on Friday, November 24, 2017, in Hermitage, TN.
David was born July 23, 1945 in Peru, IL, the son of Robert Alexander
Kidd and Mary Lucille (Harvey) Kidd. He married Louise Wallace on
October 12, 1985 in Decatur, Illinois.
He is survived by his wife, Louise, of Byron Center, MI. His children
were the light of his life; Laura Elizabeth Davis and her husband,
Travis, of Chatham, IL and Alexander Wallace Kidd and his fiancé,
Ashley Knierim, of Hermitage, TN. He is also survived by his brother,
James Robert Kidd and his wife, Mary, of Big Rock, IL, his niece
Allison Probst, and her husband, Steve of Shabbona, IL and nephew,
Robb Kidd of Plano, IL.
He graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School in 1963, Millikin
University in 1968 and received his master’s degree from the
University of Illinois.
David worked 32 years for Decatur Public Schools, retiring in 2001. He
was a 6th grade teacher at Stevenson Elementary School, math teacher
and dean of boys at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, a psychology
teacher and counselor at MacArthur High School, and a principal at
South Shores Elementary School. He also worked from 1977- 1987 for
the Macon County CETA/JTPA programs, managing the summer youth
employment programs. After his retirement from education, he became
the coordinator of the Y.E.S. (Youth Engagement Strategy, a W.K
Kellogg Foundation Grant), through Decatur Memorial Hospital, followed
by Richland Community College. In 2004 he began his work in the Macon
County State’s Attorney’s Office as the director of Teen Court. He
retired again in 2013 when he and Louise moved to Michigan.
David was a “cradle-Episcopalian,” having been raised in St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church in LaSalle, IL. He was a member of St. John’s
Episcopal Church in Decatur, IL and for the last few years was a
member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, MI, where he
served on the Vestry, Finance Ministry and the Healing Racism Ministry.
He was also an usher and committed to many other aspects of the Parish’s life.
David was a committed advocate for social justice issues. At the heart
of his being, he was always a counselor, wanting to understand other
people and their life stories.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 30 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
At St. John’s Episcopal Church, 130 W. Eldorado St., Decatur, IL. A
funeral mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 1 at St.
John’s. Burial will follow at Friend’s Creek Cemetery, Argenta, IL.
Memorial gifts are suggested to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 Division Ave. N, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or St. John’s Episcopal Church, 130 W. Eldorado St., Decatur
IL 62522.
Arrangements by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL. View the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.grancelandfairlawn.com.
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