R Jay Kidd

DECLO – R Jay Kidd, a 90-year-old resident of Declo, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018, in his home surrounded by his family.

Jay was born September 23, 1927, in Acequia, Idaho, to Carson Gilbert and Nellie Louisa Florence Kidd. The only son of eleven children, he was spoiled and loved by his sisters. Jay moved to Declo when he was six, spending 84 years in the exact place he was raised. Jay attended Declo schools, graduating with the Class of 1946. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After boot camp, he was sent to Johnston Island -700 miles southwest of the Hawaiian Islands. After getting out of the Navy in April of 1948, Jay joined the reserves and started playing church basketball where he met his future wife. Dorothy Haycock was snowed out of her home and was staying in Burley with a friend. After a blind date, Jay knew he wanted to marry her. They were married July 3, 1950, and later sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

After a short honeymoon, they moved to Bancroft, Idaho. Soon after their move, Jay was called back to active duty in the Navy for the Korean War. While serving in Amchitka Islands their first son, Terrel, was born. Jay returned home from his service in November 1951 and went to work on a farm. In October 1952, their second son, Orllo, was born; in October 1954, their third son, Randy, was born; and in March 1957, their fourth son, Dan, was born. During the winter, Jay worked at J.R. Simplot and other jobs to make ends meet. In July 1959, Jay took a job with the Burley Irrigation District at the pump stations. In October 1959, their fifth son, Kent, was born. In 1960, Jay and Dorothy built a new house on the family farm with plenty of room for five boys; it was a good thing because in 1963, they added their sixth son, Kelly.

The boys were all active in school sports, the Cassia County Fair and working on the farm. Their dad was right beside them all the way, teaching them the importance of commitment and hard work.

Jay retired in 1990 and loved to work in the beautiful yard of their Declo home. He was a devoted and loving grandfather building a swing set, tether-ball pole, motorized merry-go-round, and a tree house for his many grandchildren. He also spent time attending sporting events and 4-H shows supporting many of the grandkids. The family has grown over the years, but hot dog roasts in the forest and Sunday visits have always been a favorite for the entire family. Grandpa Jay has taught each of us the true meaning of service to others and that families are forever.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Haycock Kidd; children, Terrel (Karen) Kidd of Blackfoot, Orllo (Jacki) Kidd of Declo, Randy (Patti) Kidd of Oakley, Dan (Terri) Kidd, Kent (Kimberley) Kidd, and Kelly (Jan) Kidd, all of Declo; sisters, Joan (Fred) Hawker and Gwen (Eldon) Searle both of Burley; 22 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lydia Woodbury, Anna Kidd, Rema Combs, Ruth Matthews, June McLean, Nila Schrenk, Merla Stone, and Bonnie Richins; and two grandchildren, Thais Michelle Kidd and Oakley Lynn Ozburn.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 2, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Declo Stake Center, 213 W. Main St., in Declo. Officiating will be Bishop Dale Darrington. Burial, with military rites accorded by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group, will follow at Declo Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, preceding the service at the church.

Thank you to Dr. Kevin Owens for his special care and time, Cassia Regional Hospital, Parke View Care & Rehabilitation Center, and the many nurses for the extra special care they gave Grandma and Grandpa the past few weeks. We especially express our sincere appreciation to Minidoka Home Health and Hospice for EVERYTHING!