Dr. Harold Joseph Kidd

Born to J.W. and Mabel Kidd, Harold Joseph Kidd entered the world on January 30, 1924. The seventh of ten children, Harold grew up in central Oklahoma on a series of farms. He told stories about walking, riding horses, and even, for a period of time, driving a buggy to school. Stories from later in his life included hitchhiking with a small trunk labeled “Aggie." However, Harold was an Oklahoma Aggie, attending what is now Oklahoma State University. He received his Master’s Degree there, then earned a Ph.D. in botany from Washington University in St. Louis.

Between his time at home and his post-graduate education, Harold proudly served state-side in the Army Air Corps while his three brothers served in Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. He was trained as a radio operator and spent his time training other radio operators as well as guarding locations in the continental US, including manning gun emplacements on the Gulf coast in Texas. He had no idea that Texas would become his home for over 60 years.

While studying in St. Louis, Harold met and married Dorris Wilson. Upon graduation, he took his new bride to Kansas to begin his career with Pioneer Hi-Bred International as a plant breeder specializing in sorghum. There they welcomed their first born, Lewis. Eventually, Harold opened a small office in Plainview, Texas which grew into a center for plant breeding and seed production. Their second child Mary Anna was born there. After retiring from Pioneer Hi-Bred, Harold worked part-time for the Texas Agriculture Extension office and dabbled in photomicrography. His creativity was expressed through the development of “none-suches,” wooden objects created around the whorls left by knots in the wood.

Anyone entering the Kidd family home would discover plaques demonstrating Harold’s long involvement in the community: Elder at First Christian Church, service with the Kiwanis Club, Boy Scout leader, and Hospital Auxiliary volunteer. There were even a couple of bowling trophies. With his beloved Dorris, Harold delivered meals, served communion to shut-ins, and drove people to Lubbock for medical treatments. He lived a life of quiet service as an expression of his faith in Jesus Christ.

Harold left this life on November 22, 2023. He is survived by his daughter Mary Anna, sister Marjorie Collins, grandson Joseph Smith Kidd, granddaughter-in-law Kimberly Brogan, and great-grandchildren Darrin and Destiny Kidd. His wife Dorris and son Lewis, preceded him in his heavenly journey along with his parents, eight siblings, and ten in-laws. At the end of his time on earth, he was often heard saying, “I am ready to go, but God must have some reason for keeping me here a while longer.” Harold lived his purpose and is now with his heavenly father.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on January 27, 2024 at First Christian Church, 1800 N. I-27, Plainview, Texas. The service will be followed by the interment of ashes at Parklawn Memorial Gardens. Services will be livestreamed. For links to the service, contact Mary Anna Kidd ([email protected]).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Dr. Harold J. Kidd. Donations can be made to: First Christian Church in Plainview Texas (Donate Here – First Christian Church (firstchristianchurchplainview.com); Brook Hollow Christian Church (P. O. Box 3718, Abilene, TX 79604-3718); or Missouri Botanical Gardens (Commemorative Giving Opportunities (missouribotanicalgarden.org)).