Kenneth Russell Kidd

Kenneth Russell Kidd, 77 years old, passed away at his home in Resaca, Georgia, on Friday, July 31.  He was surrounded by his loved ones and died peacefully after a short and courageous battle with cancer.

Ken was born and raised in Vonore, Tennessee.  After graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1968, he moved to Whitfield County to teach at Valley Point High School.   While teaching at Valley Point, he met his future wife, Sara, who was then teaching at Westside High School.  Ken joined his wife at Dalton High School in 1970 where he established the Co-ordinated Vocational Academic Education Program.  He was greatly respected and admired as a teacher and fellow educator.  In a quote from the 1985 Dalton High School annual, “. . . the entire graduating class of 1985 was asked to name the one teacher that . . . meant the most to them in their pursuit of education.  The response was overwhelming in favor of one very special individual.”  The quote went on to state that, “We proudly dedicate the 1985 Catamount Annual to Mr. Kenneth Kidd.”

Ken received his Masters of Education degree from The University of Georgia and continued teaching at Dalton High School until 2002 when he retired to join his wife who had previously retired from DHS in 2000.   He was preceded in death by his parents Link and Mary Kidd and a younger brother, Bobby.  He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sara, his beloved daughter and son-in-law, Molly and Brian Stiltner of Buford, GA, and the two people he considered his greatest accomplishment—his grandson, Nate Stiltner and granddaughter, Beth Stiltner.  He is also survived by his much-loved son, Russell Kidd, of Dalton, GA, his much-loved siblings:  sister, Kathy (Sam Benthall) Kidd of Knoxville, TN, and brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Terri Kidd of Vonore, TN.  He was preceded in death by his much-loved sister-in-law, Julia Potts, and is survived by his beloved brothers-in-law, Jerry and Johnny Potts, his beloved sister-in-law, Carolyn Potts and numerous nieces and nephews.

Due to the current pandemic situation, the family will have a Celebration of Life memorial at a later date.  Love Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to one’s favorite animal rescue group.