Levi Kidd

Services for Levi Lee Kidd, 76, of Tyler, will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Gerry Giles officiating. A private burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Kidd passed away, Monday, December 12, 2011 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. He was born January 8, 1935 in Tyler to Hubert Edward and Opal Lowry Kidd. Lee spent a lot of his childhood working at Kidd’s Dairy & Ice. He made Tyler his home, following the path of his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents making the Kidd name a familiar one to East Texas. Lee was a 1953 graduate of Tyler High School. He graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Geology. Lee was successful in the oil and gas business as well as a real estate investor. A certified Petroleum Landman, Lee was a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, the East Texas Association of Petroleum Landmen and a member of Willow Brook Country Club. He followed his father as Director of First Federal Savings and Loan Association and was currently serving as Chairman of the Board of First Bank. Lee also served on the board of the University of Texas Tyler. Lee was a lifetime member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of which his grandfather was one to have laid down the cornerstone. As a geologist, Lee studied the lay of the land everywhere he went. He was a ‘true outdoorsman’ and an avid fisher and hunter. He could name most every mountain as well as name many plants and trees. Lee loved adventure and would take at least two trips a year to Alaska as he loved the wild and untamed terrain. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was always up for a trip to hunt for elk, bear, deer, moose, pronghorn and many other species. Lee loved spending time at his ranch in Val Verde County and often said he felt closer to God while he was there. He was an avid collector of Winchester rifles and had a spectacular collection. Lee loved life and everything it had to offer. He enjoyed good conversation, reading a good book by a fire, and a drive along the highway. Working and trading, gambling in oil and gas, a strong drink, turning down bad deals and making good deals were also things that brought enjoyment to Lee. Lee was a patient person who would listen, think and calculate the conversation before responding. The opinions of his many friends were valued and he enjoyed the fellowship they shared. Lee loved his entire family and was a loving husband, father, step-father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was compassionate and had a tender spirit who had infinite wisdom. He was the rock and security of our family and will be missed beyond comprehension. Mr. Kidd was preceded in death by his parents. Lee is survived by his loving family including his wife of 40 years, Ann McKellar Kidd of Tyler; children, Lex Kidd and wife Holly of Tyler, Trant L. Kidd of Tyler, Kimberly Kidd Maddox and husband Tim of Tyler, Thomas G. McKellar and wife Marilyn of Tyler and Richard G. McKellar and wife Heidi of Tyler; siblings, Barbara Kidd Caserta of Tyler, Hubert E Kidd and wife Suzanne of Tyler; grandchildren, Thomas L. Fuller and wife Sandy, Patrick L. Fuller, Kathryn Maddox, Karson Kidd, Kelsey Kidd, Kalum Kidd, Levi Kidd, Reed Crenshaw, Elizabeth and Cameron Kidd, Kathryn and Sarah McKellar, Mary Dickson, and Graem, Olivia and Josh Dugan all of Tyler; great-grandchildren, Samantha, Kyndel and Thomas Fuller all of Tyler; sister-in-law, Eleanor Drake and her children David and Dana all of Dallas; brother-in-law, Thomas Greer and wife Liff and their children Beau and Thomas Greer, III all of Houston; and nieces and nephews, Harry and Kay Caserta, Melissa Heidrick and husband Matt, Hubert E. Kidd II, Caroline Kidd and Victoria Kidd, also all of Tyler. Pallbearers will be Wayne Leake, Mike McDonald, Earl Davis, John Maxwell, Buddy Story, Tim Maddox, Mason Bristol, and Vance Burks. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the First Federal Bank Board of Directors. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy. in Tyler. We would like to acknowledge Dr. Heidi McKellar, Dr. Bob Droder of Tyler Hematology and Oncology and the staff of ETMC Cancer Institute for their extraordinary care of Mr. Kidd during his illness. Memorials in honor of Levi Lee Kidd may be made to the Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, 75701 or St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1358 E. Richards St, Tyler, 75702 For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

Levi Kidd

January 8, 1935 - December 12, 2011