Larry Denzel Kidd

Larry Denzel Kidd, 67, passed away Friday, December 28, 2012 following a battle with a Vasculitis Disease known as Wegener's Disease. A native of Sullivan County, TN son of the late Adrian Denzel Kidd and Eula Hazel Laughlin Kidd; grandson of the William Reece Kidd and Effie Obera Hunt Kidd; and Johney J. Albert Laughlin and Sarah Ethel Mullins Laughlin. Spending the majority of his life in the Indian Springs Community of Kingsport, TN Larry graduated in 1963 from Blountville High School majoring in agriculture. He worked with his grandfather on the Kidd Farm as a young boy and later raised enough hogs to buy his first car, a 1955 Chevy; and held several different summer jobs. After 42 yrs. of service with the Mead Corp. where he started as a pipefitter and later became the maintenance supervisor of the pulp mill area. Larry retired to spend more time on his hobbies, hunting and spending time at home in his barn working on tractors and making his rounds in the community and keeping folks laughing. Larry’s love of antique tractors was fulfilled by being a member of the Sullivan County Antique Tractor and Engine Assoc. of Blountville for 16 yrs. and former member of the Tri State Antique Power Assoc. He enjoyed showing off his large collection of Simplicity Mowers and Antique Tractors. Friday mornings were spent with the old Blountville High School “fellow classmates” to reminisce. Larry never met a stranger, in a crowd you could almost bet he was in the center telling one of his tales. Larry’s hobbies included hunting, working on his tractors, fixing things and keeping folks laughing. Larry is survived by his wife, Debbie; three daughters, Shari Fleenor, Michele Venters, Amy Kidd; twelve grandchildren, Scotty Fleenor, Sharisa McClain, Andy, Adam, Jennah and Noah Venters, Ellen Tolley, Dakota and Desarea Kidd, William, Jacob and Dawson Nabors; two great-grandchildren, Destin and Da'Sha McClain; brother, Harold Kidd and wife Martha; sister, Phyllis Starnes and husband Wayne; several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Thursday, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home with Pastors Johnny Gibson, Ed McClain and Adam Venters with burial to follow at East Lawn Memorial Park. Music will be provided by Andy Venters on the fiddle, vocals by Louise Gibson and Ed McClain. The family will receive friends immediately following the burial, at Indian Springs First Baptist Church Christian Life Center, 305 Hill Rd. next to Indian Springs School. The family request that food donations be brought at that time. Serving as pallbearers will be Noah Venters, Scotty Fleenor, John Harr, Tom Ashbrook, Todd Godsey, Dan Grafton, Bill Dean and Ron Salyers. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Starnes II, Bob McCrackin, James Venters, Bruce Cummings, Donnie Vaughn, Johnny Johnson, Dale Grafton, Bob Grimes, William, Jacob and Dawson Nabors. East Lawn Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kidd family, please visit www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave a condolence. Larry will be greatly missed by family and his community.