Clyde Everett Kidd

October 2, 1937 – September 23, 2021

Clyde Everett Kidd passed away peacefully on September 23, 2021 at home with his beloved wife of 31 years, Brenda, at his side.  Clyde was an exceptional human being and a true friend to all.  He has been described as kind, gentle, gracious, dignified, respectful, grounded, highly intelligent, talented and having boundless energy….engaged in all he did.

Clyde was born on October 2, 1937 and raised in Phoenix, Arizona by Leota and Robert Kidd. He was raised in the Nazarene faith where the family took seriously the nurture connected with the importance of God in your life.  His was a happy childhood with summers spent camping on the family property at Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona, Arizona.  He spoke fondly of his upbringing and involvement in the church, his love for his parents and especially for his sister, Chris.  Music and the church were always important in his life having learned to sing at his mother’s knee.  Singing and music became a lifelong passion and talent.

Clyde attended Phoenix Christian High School where he was an outstanding student, musician, athlete and leader.  He was a member of the National Honor Society, Arizona Boys State, multiple choral and instrumental groups, musicals, class president and vice president, student council president and officer, star track athlete and more.

He was equally accomplished at Pasadena College (now Point Loma Nazarene University) where he was again an outstanding student, class and student body president, participant in many musical groups such as Madrigals, men’s choir and The Melody Men, Who’s Who in America’s Universities and a record setting track star.  His record in the  200 yard dash stood until his youngest son was a student there in the 1990’s.  Clyde earned many scholarships and helped support himself in college by singing and traveling with various musical groups.

During college Clyde married his college sweetheart with whom he had his three beloved sons.  The family lived in San Jose where Clyde was a fifth-grade teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School.  He completed his master’s Degree at San Jose State University. The family moved to Sacramento in 1965.

Clyde served in many capacities in the Sacramento City Unified School District from 1965 until his retirement in 1999 after forty years as an outstanding lifelong educator.  He taught 4^th, 5th, 6^th grades and music for nine years at John Bidwell and Edward Kemble Elementary Schools.  He served as summer school principal and vice principal at Edward Kemble, Joseph Bonnheim and Sequoia Elementary Schools for three years.  During 1971-1989 he was principal at H.W. Harkness, Bret Harte, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Judah Elementary Schools.  He enjoyed taking on new schools and new challenges especially the development of the first interdisciplinary arts magnet school at Theodore Judah.  He served as the Executive Assistant for Superintendent Dr. Rudy Crew for four years.  He was principal at the former Goethe Middle School and at John F Kennedy High School (one of his more challenging and favorite assignments) for five years.  He concluded his professional career as a Director of Magnet Schools/Summer School, Choice/Open Enrollment.

Clyde was recognized for serving on numerous district task forces; Director of the district elementary school honor choir; President of the Association of School Administrators (ACSA) both locally and regionally; team leader for the California State Commission for Teacher Preparation ; charter delegate for the Coalition Urban School Districts and president of the Metro League (athletics).  He was the recipient of many awards including Administrator of the Year by the PTA and ACSA, PTA Honorary Service Award, and Humanitarian Award – Sacramento Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission to name a few.

As an educator he had an outstanding connection with his students, staff,  community and colleagues. He was an inspirational leader who encouraged, listened to, instilled confidence and showed profound respect for others. He was always a part of everything at his schools from being dunked in a water tank for a PTA carnival to singing “Earth Angel” with the staff. He was an extraordinary speaker and motivator who loved a challenge.  He worked hard every day of his career sometimes leaving home at 6:45 AM and returning at 1 AM the following day after supervising after school football games and dances. He was loved, admired and respected throughout his professional career.

Clyde was a gifted musician with the most beautiful singing voice.  This carried him throughout his life.  He sang in many groups from a young age, directed choirs, was a soloist and gave back to the community with his music through volunteer work with groups like the Country Club Aires, a men’s singing group affiliated with SIRS Branch 33 which he directed for 19 years.  They sang weekly at senior centers and events, senior living facilities, hospitals, the State Fair and even River Cats games.  He also directed the choir at Eskaton Retirement Village, sang in the River City Chorale and participated in other organizations after retirement.   He loved being a church musician having directed his first church choir program at age 21 and continuing throughout his life until his retirement in 2011.  He served 38 years as the choir and music director at First United Methodist Church downtown…. an assignment and choir he truly loved.

Clyde was raised as a 32^nd degree Master Mason with the Bicentennial Daylight Lodge #830 in 2001.  He became the Lodge Master in 2007.  He served as Lodge Secretary from 2011 until 2018.  He received the Hiram Award, the highest honor bestowed on a Master Mason, in recognition and tribute for his outstanding service and dedication to Freemasonry and his community.  Clyde was also a member of the Ben Ali Shrine and the Sacramento Valley Scottish Rite where he served as Wise Master of the Knights Rose Croix in 2012.

Despite all of these accomplishments Clyde’s greatest accomplishments were those of his character, faith and devotion to family, friends and all people he encountered.  He was a dedicated and loving father and grandfather; son and brother; uncle and friend.  His sons remember him as easy going and admire how he got along with everyone.  They enjoyed camping and fishing; long and fun filled drives to Las Vegas to visit their aunt and family; making music together and seeking his most sage advice throughout their lives.  He adored his sons and grandsons and was very proud of them.

Brenda and Clyde were colleagues who attended the same three year principal training program.  She was acquiring skills and he was updating his considerable skills.  After it ended they had dinner together and the rest is history.  Both had experienced difficult times which deepened their love and commitment to each other.  They were both very grateful to have found their soul mates and a most beautiful life together.

Clyde had the kindest and most beautiful soul.  He never ever said anything negative about anyone.  He was a gentle man, a hopeful man, a man of faith.

                                                                                  Clyde – A True Hero

A True hero gets out of bed every morning

and goes about life’s daily tasks

unnoticed, unassuming, and unsung

A true hero takes on responsibility, gives out credit, and always looks for a way to solve the problem.

A true hero speaks kindly, acts fairly, endures patiently, enjoys easily,

and faces every day with simple strength.

A true hero persists in the things that matter.

Anonymous/Hallmark

Clyde is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-one years, Brenda; His sons Brian (Nancy), Barret (Dawn), Murray (Nancy); his grandsons Jesse, Eddie and Owen Kidd; nieces and nephews Cassie Farrell (Chris), Travis (Evangeline) and Nathan (Terri Jo) Hook; great nephews and niece Adam Patterson (Tiffany), Stacie Patterson and Orion Hook plus many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leota Fay and Robert Franklin Kidd; his beloved sister Christina Kidd Henderson;  half-sister Irene Kidd Weber; half -brother Narvel Kidd and Janet Farr Kidd Bertaut, mother of his sons.

A grave side service was held, due to Covid, on October 2, 2021 at Eastlawn Memorial Park on Folsom Blvd., Sacramento.  Thank you to all those who were able to attend.  A Tribute video including his singing and a guestbook are available at https://www.eastlawn.com/obituary/clyde-everett-kidd/

Remembrances in his honor may be made to Sunshine Acres Children’s Home (3405 N. Higley Road  Mesa, AZ 85215) ; www.sunshineacres.org) and the Scottish Rite Education Fund (6151 H. Street, Sacramento, 95819; 916-452-5881).