J.D. "Coach" Kidd

He was born December 27, 1931 in Winding Gulf, WV. JD was an accomplished athlete in football, baseball, and wrestling. His proudest moment was playing for the 1949 All-Star Jr. Baseball American Legion Team. The following year, he won the State Wrestling Championship for Beckley High School. In college JD played both football and baseball for Morris Harvey College and helped the Golden Eagles win the 1951 Tangerine Bowl in Orlando. It was at that time he vowed to one day relocate to Florida. He has since been inducted into the MHC Athlete’s Hall of Fame.

He joined the US Army in October 1954 to September 1956 and served as a cannoneer with the field Artillery Group.

After his service, he fulfilled his promise and moved to Florida in 1963. JD was a dedicated educator in the Cocoa / Rockledge area for over 30 years. He taught Driver’s Education, Math as well as coached wrestling and football among other sports.

His greatest passion in life, however, was Golf. He could often be found hitting balls at the BCC driving range and never missed an opportunity to be on the Golf course. He also continued to support public education by his many contributions through the FL Lottery scratch-off games. We will forever be grateful to the Rockledge and Viera Publix for their daily complimentary coffee, hospitality, kindness, and especially Doug the Pharmacist.

He is preceded in death by his son, Bradley Alan Kidd and grandson, Grant Cagle.

He is survived by his children Lynn Kidd Cagle, Bryan Kidd and Eric Kidd; son-in-law Bill Cagle; grandchildren Garrett Cagle, Joshua Kidd, Jonathan Kidd, Jeremy Kidd, Jordan Kidd and five great-grandchildren.

A visitation gathering will be held on Thursday, September 23 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955, with a private burial at Florida Memorial Gardens to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.