James Harold Kidd

James was born on October 14, 1954 in Lawrence County, TN. He attended public school in Lawrenceburg until his father was transferred to Amelia County, Virginia while he was in high school. He initially hated it – but this move turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him because it meant he ended up attending Virginia Tech, which is where he met the love of his life, Ginny Lawson. James and Ginny were married on campus at the War Memorial Chapel in the spring of their senior year and moved to Chattanooga.

James graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry. He was active in the forestry club and maintained life-long friendships with his fellow forestry students. After college, he taught the public about fire safety and environmentalism while serving as Smokey the Bear. He worked in forestry when he was younger, even helping fight forest fires with the Tennessee Division of Forestry, before becoming a Registered Land Surveyor, a bridge inspector and a highway construction inspector. He retired from the Tennessee Department of Transportation in 2019 and became a professional Paw-Paw to his beloved granddaughter, Helen.

James was a natural athlete, a gifted storyteller, and an excellent cook. He learned to make biscuits and cornbread from his grandmother Ruth, eventually developing his own cheese biscuit variety that became legendary among his family and many friends. He loved all animals (mammals only, no reptiles), and they loved him. He enjoyed playing golf, reading, logic puzzles, and watching football, golf, military history, and live theater, especially musicals. He became an avid traveler, joining Ginny on many adventures both in America and abroad. He particularly enjoyed being outdoors. Even when they were home, James could often be found on his back porch with his cat Callie, enjoying the view and the antics of the wild turkeys and deer that would roam into the yard from the woods.

Although he will be greatly and forever missed by all who loved and were loved by him, James would never want grief or sadness to be his legacy. He would encourage his family and friends to focus on the good times and the happy memories, and to continue to live joyfully and preserve and enjoy God’s creation.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Martha Kidd; grandparents, Lee and Ruth Kidd and John and Grace Pollock; and brothers Johnny Kidd and Jerry Kidd. Survivors include his wife Virginia (“Ginny”) Lawson Kidd; daughter Jamie Frawley and her husband Arthur; granddaughter Helen; brother Larry Kidd and his wife LaShon; sister-in-law Darlene Kidd; nieces and nephews Brooke Swilling (Ryan), Savanna Kidd, Hal Kidd (Heather), and Blake Kidd; great-niece and nephews Hadley and Carter Swilling, Davey Kidd, and Dylan Kidd.

A memorial visitation will be held at Chattanooga Funeral Home-North Chapel, located at 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343, on December 13, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The United Methodist Committee on Relief. Link and address are down below.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com