Roy Allen Kidd, 82, was born November 9, 1936 at Flower Hospital in downtown Tulsa to Roy L. Kidd and Gladys (McDonald) Kidd. He had an older sister, Carolyn, and later a younger half-brother, Walter Kidd. Roy grew up in Sand Springs and attended Sand Springs High School. As a teen, he loved to swim and worked as a lifeguard. He had fond memories of his days as an avid roller skater and was a member of the Tulsa Midnighters Skate Club.
At the age of 18, Roy joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Then, in 1956, he married Louise Chambers and together they had 4 sons, Scott, Bryan, Jeffery and Todd. In 1965, Roy married Vivian (Jones) Strauss, who had a daughter, Julie. In their younger years, Roy and Vivian enjoyed going out and dancing together.
Then, in the early 1970s, Roy left the full-time Air National Guard to pursue other career opportunities, including in the heating and air conditioning industry followed by several years at Union Carbide. He returned to full-time employment with the Air National Guard until his retirement as Senior Master Sergeant in Base Supply in 1993. Roy enjoyed the camaraderie at the Guard and serving with many good friends who all recall Roy's quick wit. His colleagues remember that Roy was always pulling pranks and cracking jokes. One of his former colleagues recalled often walking into the Supply building to say "Roy, I need a..." and Roy would interrupt, with his finger in the air, barking "It's On Order!"
Roy was also active in the community. When the boys were young, Roy was an volunteer in the Boy Scouts for several years. He served in the Tulsa Auxiliary Police Department, working at special events. He and Vivian became members of Tulsa Baptist Temple in 1968, where they were very active and developed many close friendships. At church, Roy served as Sunday School Superintendent for the pre-teens, as the AWANA Club Commander, as a Trustee, and served in many other areas including the bus ministry. Through the Air Guard and also through church, Roy and Vivian became good friends with Eddie & Eileta Creekpaum, sharing holidays and a standing weekly bridge game for thirty years. Together, they also took yearly cross-country road trips, with the Creekpaums' young son Kyden sandwiched between the ladies in the backseat.
After retirement from the Air Guard, Roy became a member of the Oklahoma Air National Guard Silver Beavers retirees' organization. He also worked again for a time in the heating and air conditioning industry. Later, he enjoyed working as the security doorman at Yorktown Condominiums at Utica Square, where he loved interacting with the residents. He and Vivian also worked as Tulsa County Election Board precinct workers for several years.
Roy was a Ford man: he loved his blue 1950 Ford Tudor Sedan and his light blue and white 1953 Ford Victoria. Roy and Vivian were both active with the Early Ford V-8 Club, where they made many good friends. In addition to serving on many club committees, Roy served as Vice President and then President of the club. He and Vivian enjoyed participating in parades, tire-kickings, and yearly road trips to Eureka Springs. They both looked forward to the club's annual swap meet, where Vivian made her famous biscuits and gravy while Roy enjoyed working his booth and keeping everyone entertained.
Roy was preceded in death by his father Roy Kidd, mother Gladys Johnson, step-father Charlie Johnson, half-brother Walter Kidd, sister Carolyn Barnett, 2 sons Jeffery and Scott Kidd, and grandson Shawn Kidd. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife Vivian last August. He is survived by daughter Julie Strauss, sons Bryan and Todd Kidd, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Roy will be remembered most for his sense of humor and making others laugh.
The Memorial Service will be 10 AM, Friday, February 15, 2019 at Tulsa Baptist Temple. 1203 S. Columbia Ave, Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Animal Aid of Tulsa, Tulsa Baptist Temple Missions or the charity of your choice.