John Samuel Kidwell

John Samuel Kidwell, 85 died on Monday morning, October 18, 2021. A devoted husband, he is survived by his third wife, Polly of 6 years, and 3 sisters, Harriett Holmes of Mount Airy, Linda Hicks and husband William of Clemmons, and Jean Armfield of Mount Airy. He is also survived by twin sons of his second wife, Keith Unger and Kenneth Unger and his wife Debra and their 3 sons, Kenneth, Jr., Kyle, and Tyler; many nephews and nieces; and his feline friend of 15 years, Punkin. He was preceded in death by his second wife Barbara of 22 years, his mother, Hilda Hutchens Harbin and his father, Walter Wilbur Kidwell; as well as his stepfather, Harry W. Harbin, Jr. John graduated from Gwynn Park High School and studied engineering at the University of Maryland and had his own painting business in the early 60s, managed the Marlboro Lumber Company in Maryland in the late 60s, served 6 years in the Maryland National Guard in the 70s, managed his construction company in the 70s and 80s when he became associated with the Curtis Group of Companies where he managed their construction projects until 2002. Over the years, John had a serious interest in local history and devoted a lot of his time promoting and preserving historical sites in and around Washington, D. C., Maryland, and Mount Airy, N. C. He served on the board of directors of the Alfred Moore House here in the city as well as other groups for his preservation work. In the 60s, he became interested in sailing, which led him to be a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary where he taught safe boating for many years and was a member of 25 years. He was a charter member of Flotilla 29, US Coast Guard in Fort Washington, Maryland. His love for sailing led him to captain sailing yachts in his spare for almost 50 years which took him to most of the ports of call along the east coast and the Caribbean. John was a Lions Club member for 27 years, a Boy Scout Leader for 5 years, a member of the American Legion for 47 years, a Master Mason, a member of the Eastern Star, a Shriner, and a Templar Knight. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. A celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 3:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy with Rev. Sarah Carper Morris and Brother Travis Sechrist officiating. Inurnment will follow in the White Plains Friends Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 2:30 – 3:00 PM. Due to Covid19, the family requests everyone to wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials contributions be made in honor of John to White Plains Friends Meeting Cemetery Fund, ATTN: Mr. Kenny Kallam, 849 Old Highway 601 Mount Airy, NC 27030.