Clifford S. Kidd III

Clifford S. Kidd III, 87, passed away at home surrounded by his family on January 27, 2022, in Tallahassee, Florida. He was born to Clifford S. Kidd Jr. and Eileen Jones Kidd on September 19,1934 in Queens, NY.

He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Asbury Park NJ and graduated from Long Branch High School in 1953 where he played for the Green Wave baseball and football teams.

He relocated to Tallahassee in 1953 to attend Florida State University where he met his future wife, Bonnie Sellers, in freshman English class. They were married at First Baptist Church on September 15, 1955.

Upon graduation from the ROTC program at FSU, he entered the US Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served as a KC-135 Master Navigator and carried out assignments with the 15th Security Police, Strategic Air Command (SAC), and Tactical Air Command (TAC). His SAC missions in the Vietnam war included serving as lead cell navigator in the Operation Linebacker II mission in the Eleven-day War. Before retiring in 1977 as a Lieutenant Colonel, he earned many awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star awards.

He returned to Tallahassee in 1977 as a residential building contractor. In 1981 he began a second career with the Florida Marine Patrol where he served at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel until he retired in 1995.

Cliff loved the west. He spent several summers camping with his German Shephard in a tent on his property in Star Valley Wyoming. Many trips to the property were enjoyed with his wife, their two wolf dogs, his children and grandchildren, and Marine Patrol friends. Later, he built a cabin on the property that continues to be enjoyed by family and friends.

Cliff’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ shaped his life and character. He was a member of Thomasville Road Baptist Church where he was an active volunteer. His family was his greatest treasure. He was a cowboy at heart and loved nature and animals, especially dogs and horses. He was also a loyal Florida State fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Bonnie, children Cindy (Pete) Heckroth of Arizona, Tammy (Craig) Barkve, Debbie (Bill) Harper both of Tallahassee, and Michael (Kathy) Moore, who was raised as a son, of Arizona. Grandchildren are Kathryn Heckroth, Laura Heckroth, Bonnie (Jordon) Justice, Bailey Ann Harper, Christopher (Laura) Barkve, and Jennifer Barkve.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Culley’s Meadow Wood, Timberlane Road. Funeral services will be at Thomasville Road Baptist Church Friday, February 4 at 11 AM with internment following at Oakland Cemetery.