James Hearl Kidd, 89, Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2022, in his home after a short illness.  He was born November 6, 1932, to Hearl and Eva Kidd.  James graduated from Saint Agnes High School in 1951.  After serving a short stint in the Navy when graduating high school, he began working for the Frisco Railroad.  Upon leaving the Frisco, he became an apprentice machinist at Paul Mueller Company advancing his credentials to a certified machinist where he worked for over 20 years.  During this time, he co-coached football and raced speed boats at Lake of the Ozarks.

Upon leaving Paul Mueller Company he went to work for Letsch Corporation where he was employed until he retired.  While he was working, James taught evening machine shop classes at Graff Vocational Technical School as well as building custom-ordered boat trailers.  To stay busy after retiring, James continued to work parttime, he also enjoyed weekly card games and daily visits with his friends at the diner.

In 1954, James married Mona Pippin and together they had five children.  In 1976, he married Margaret Brown.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Mona, his daughter Marilyn and son Michael, his son-in-law Dennis, his sister Martha, granddaughter Brandy, and Margaret.

James is survived by his three daughters, Mary Grob, Julie Graybeal (Wayne), Jeanette Kidd (Tim) all of Springfield MO; his brother Frank (Ginny) Lee's Summit, MO, nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 5 at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.