James (Buster) Kidd, 89, passed away on Monday morning, July 5, 2010.
Born in NC, he moved to Lexington, Virginia, as a child when his mother, Annie Rowan Kidd relocated after his father passed away.
Buster Graduated from Lexington High School in 1940, where he played football on a championship team. He then enrolled in Washington and Lee University until he made the decision to serve his country in World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as an officer on a B- 17 Flying Fortress. (447 Bomb Group - 711 Squadron). He was stationed in England. On his 13th mission over Germany his aircraft was shot down in a fight with German fighter planes and ditched into the North Sea. Although wounded, he and his crew were rescued and sent to England to recover. There he was further injured and retired from the military. He received the Purple Heart and his unit received the Presidential Citation.
While recovering from his injuries, he completed his college education at Erskin College in Due West, South Carolina, where he received a degree in History. He later furthered his education by receiving a masters degree from the University of South Carolina.
After teaching high school for several years, he accepted a position at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia, where he served as a professor for 30 years. After retiring, he returned to his home in the Shenandoah Valley and purchased and restored an old valley home that is now listed on the National register of historic places. He was a master craftsman and loved to work with wood. He created many beautiful pieces of furniture for his family and furnished his home with them.
His wife of 63 years, Mary Caroline Gaines Kidd, three daughters, Lindsey Ann Burns, Carolyn Rowan Kidd, and Edith Batten DeBord, and one son, James C. Kidd Jr. survives him.
Buster was a dedicated husband, father and teacher, who will be greatly missed by those who knew him or experienced him in his classroom.
The family will have a graveside service at the Old Providence Presbyterian Church in Spotswood, Virginia at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 7th.
Arrangements are being handled by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.
