Contributed by grandson, William "Bill" Kidd of Hydesville, CA
Lawrence Joaquin Kidd Sr. was born in Long Beach, California on October 29, 1910. He was the fifth of six children born to William Henry Kidd and Lulu Aldridge Kidd. As a young boy growing up in Long Beach, grandpa and his closest brother and sister were very active. Often they would be blamed for mischievous things done in the neighborhood. Grandpa had his own stories of some of his teenage pranks, but never anything that was destructive. As he approached adulthood, grandpa became interested in hot rod cars. He spent much of his time rebuilding car engines. His knowledge and skill of mechanics and his other talents were useful through the years, enabling him to work in the aircraft industry. Lockheed, Vultee, and Douglas aircraft were among the companies he would work for. Tool design, Jig design and prototype mock-ups were among the things he would do.
In the early 1930’s a young woman caught a glimpse of grandpa. She predicted that she would marry him. Her prediction came true, when on February 4th, 1932, LaVene Morris married grandpa. During the next six years they were blessed with 3 children, their first to be a daughter, Laurene Andrea born August 10th, 1934; followed by two sons William Henry born June 22nd, 1936 and Lawrence Joaquin born January 18th, 1938. Their names bore testimony of his love for his family.
Grandpa continued to work in the aircraft industry, and another of his loves became apparent, that was giving knowledge to others. He was a teacher at John Dewey and an instructor at Compton Junior College in the early 1940’s, teaching aircraft design, metal shop and math. When the war came in 1941, grandpa’s talents were needed. He was called back to aircraft production. He moved his family to Oklahoma City where he worked for Douglas Aircraft Company expediting production of the planes needed by the armed services.
Near the end of the war grandpa was transferred back to the Long Beach area, where he and grandma would buy a home that would be their home to this day. Grandpa and grandma and grandma’s nephew Verle would open a nursery in old Lakewood Village. Grandpa loved plants and worked hard. He expanded into landscaping, another of his talents was very useful, the artistic ability he had to create designs, and the results would always be a compliment to his talents.
Grandpa was always a little ahead of the future. The nursery and landscaping business was hard work to be successful in the years after the war. It was obvious to him that there was a greater need for paving, with all the new construction. Grandpa continued successfully in the paving business until his injury to his back forced his retirement in the early 1960’s. The time following his retirement was at times difficult for him, his heart was weakening and his back was stiff from his operation. Grandpa could not be inactive. When he felt good, he would work in the yard and around the house. He would help grandma with things that were difficult for her. He was attentive, often fixing breakfast so she could rest.
Grandpa loved his family. He loved to be with his brothers and sisters when they were living. He loved his nieces and worried about their wellbeing. Grandpa would reminisce about the good times he had and the many experiences he shared with his cousins, and his nieces and their families. Grandpa liked visiting with all of them and remembering old times. The times grandpa looked forward to most were the holidays when his posterity would be gathered together. He enjoyed engaging his family in conversation and telling a story, talking about his book, or telling a little joke. He worried about all of us constantly and he only wanted the best for us. Grandpa was able to do many things he had wanted to do. Grandma and grandpa were able to travel to Europe twice and vacation once in Hawaii. He loved to see new things and visit historic locations, seeing things he had read about.
It would be hard to recount every loving experience that all of us have had with grandpa. We, his children and grandchildren have had a wonderful teacher. Many of his qualities we will never attain. Grandma cherishes the long and happy life they were blessed with. We will remember the good times and the hard times and each of us will hold in remembrance the personal experiences we have had with grandpa and know how much he loved us. We all love you grandpa and we will remember you and love you until the time we are called out of this life and can embrace you and walk with you again.
Lawrence Joaquin Kidd Sr. was born in Long Beach, California on October 29, 1910. He was the fifth of six children born to William Henry Kidd and Lulu Aldridge Kidd. As a young boy growing up in Long Beach, grandpa and his closest brother and sister were very active. Often they would be blamed for mischievous things done in the neighborhood. Grandpa had his own stories of some of his teenage pranks, but never anything that was destructive. As he approached adulthood, grandpa became interested in hot rod cars. He spent much of his time rebuilding car engines. His knowledge and skill of mechanics and his other talents were useful through the years, enabling him to work in the aircraft industry. Lockheed, Vultee, and Douglas aircraft were among the companies he would work for. Tool design, Jig design and prototype mock-ups were among the things he would do.
In the early 1930’s a young woman caught a glimpse of grandpa. She predicted that she would marry him. Her prediction came true, when on February 4th, 1932, LaVene Morris married grandpa. During the next six years they were blessed with 3 children, their first to be a daughter, Laurene Andrea born August 10th, 1934; followed by two sons William Henry born June 22nd, 1936 and Lawrence Joaquin born January 18th, 1938. Their names bore testimony of his love for his family.
Grandpa continued to work in the aircraft industry, and another of his loves became apparent, that was giving knowledge to others. He was a teacher at John Dewey and an instructor at Compton Junior College in the early 1940’s, teaching aircraft design, metal shop and math. When the war came in 1941, grandpa’s talents were needed. He was called back to aircraft production. He moved his family to Oklahoma City where he worked for Douglas Aircraft Company expediting production of the planes needed by the armed services.
Near the end of the war grandpa was transferred back to the Long Beach area, where he and grandma would buy a home that would be their home to this day. Grandpa and grandma and grandma’s nephew Verle would open a nursery in old Lakewood Village. Grandpa loved plants and worked hard. He expanded into landscaping, another of his talents was very useful, the artistic ability he had to create designs, and the results would always be a compliment to his talents.
Grandpa was always a little ahead of the future. The nursery and landscaping business was hard work to be successful in the years after the war. It was obvious to him that there was a greater need for paving, with all the new construction. Grandpa continued successfully in the paving business until his injury to his back forced his retirement in the early 1960’s. The time following his retirement was at times difficult for him, his heart was weakening and his back was stiff from his operation. Grandpa could not be inactive. When he felt good, he would work in the yard and around the house. He would help grandma with things that were difficult for her. He was attentive, often fixing breakfast so she could rest.
Grandpa loved his family. He loved to be with his brothers and sisters when they were living. He loved his nieces and worried about their wellbeing. Grandpa would reminisce about the good times he had and the many experiences he shared with his cousins, and his nieces and their families. Grandpa liked visiting with all of them and remembering old times. The times grandpa looked forward to most were the holidays when his posterity would be gathered together. He enjoyed engaging his family in conversation and telling a story, talking about his book, or telling a little joke. He worried about all of us constantly and he only wanted the best for us. Grandpa was able to do many things he had wanted to do. Grandma and grandpa were able to travel to Europe twice and vacation once in Hawaii. He loved to see new things and visit historic locations, seeing things he had read about.
It would be hard to recount every loving experience that all of us have had with grandpa. We, his children and grandchildren have had a wonderful teacher. Many of his qualities we will never attain. Grandma cherishes the long and happy life they were blessed with. We will remember the good times and the hard times and each of us will hold in remembrance the personal experiences we have had with grandpa and know how much he loved us. We all love you grandpa and we will remember you and love you until the time we are called out of this life and can embrace you and walk with you again.
Contributed by grandson, William "Bill" Kidd of Hydesville, CA
Lawrence Joaquin Kidd Sr. was born in Long Beach, California on October 29, 1910. He was the fifth of six children born to William Henry Kidd and Lulu Aldridge Kidd. As a young boy growing up in Long Beach, grandpa and his closest brother and sister were very active. Often they would be blamed for mischievous things done in the neighborhood. Grandpa had his own stories of some of his teenage pranks, but never anything that was destructive. As he approached adulthood, grandpa became interested in hot rod cars. He spent much of his time rebuilding car engines. His knowledge and skill of mechanics and his other talents were useful through the years, enabling him to work in the aircraft industry. Lockheed, Vultee, and Douglas aircraft were among the companies he would work for. Tool design, Jig design and prototype mock-ups were among the things he would do.
In the early 1930’s a young woman caught a glimpse of grandpa. She predicted that she would marry him. Her prediction came true, when on February 4th, 1932, LaVene Morris married grandpa. During the next six years they were blessed with 3 children, their first to be a daughter, Laurene Andrea born August 10th, 1934; followed by two sons William Henry born June 22nd, 1936 and Lawrence Joaquin born January 18th, 1938. Their names bore testimony of his love for his family.
Grandpa continued to work in the aircraft industry, and another of his loves became apparent, that was giving knowledge to others. He was a teacher at John Dewey and an instructor at Compton Junior College in the early 1940’s, teaching aircraft design, metal shop and math. When the war came in 1941, grandpa’s talents were needed. He was called back to aircraft production. He moved his family to Oklahoma City where he worked for Douglas Aircraft Company expediting production of the planes needed by the armed services.
Near the end of the war grandpa was transferred back to the Long Beach area, where he and grandma would buy a home that would be their home to this day. Grandpa and grandma and grandma’s nephew Verle would open a nursery in old Lakewood Village. Grandpa loved plants and worked hard. He expanded into landscaping, another of his talents was very useful, the artistic ability he had to create designs, and the results would always be a compliment to his talents.
Grandpa was always a little ahead of the future. The nursery and landscaping business was hard work to be successful in the years after the war. It was obvious to him that there was a greater need for paving, with all the new construction. Grandpa continued successfully in the paving business until his injury to his back forced his retirement in the early 1960’s. The time following his retirement was at times difficult for him, his heart was weakening and his back was stiff from his operation. Grandpa could not be inactive. When he felt good, he would work in the yard and around the house. He would help grandma with things that were difficult for her. He was attentive, often fixing breakfast so she could rest.
Grandpa loved his family. He loved to be with his brothers and sisters when they were living. He loved his nieces and worried about their wellbeing. Grandpa would reminisce about the good times he had and the many experiences he shared with his cousins, and his nieces and their families. Grandpa liked visiting with all of them and remembering old times. The times grandpa looked forward to most were the holidays when his posterity would be gathered together. He enjoyed engaging his family in conversation and telling a story, talking about his book, or telling a little joke. He worried about all of us constantly and he only wanted the best for us. Grandpa was able to do many things he had wanted to do. Grandma and grandpa were able to travel to Europe twice and vacation once in Hawaii. He loved to see new things and visit historic locations, seeing things he had read about.
It would be hard to recount every loving experience that all of us have had with grandpa. We, his children and grandchildren have had a wonderful teacher. Many of his qualities we will never attain. Grandma cherishes the long and happy life they were blessed with. We will remember the good times and the hard times and each of us will hold in remembrance the personal experiences we have had with grandpa and know how much he loved us. We all love you grandpa and we will remember you and love you until the time we are called out of this life and can embrace you and walk with you again.
Lawrence Joaquin Kidd Sr. was born in Long Beach, California on October 29, 1910. He was the fifth of six children born to William Henry Kidd and Lulu Aldridge Kidd. As a young boy growing up in Long Beach, grandpa and his closest brother and sister were very active. Often they would be blamed for mischievous things done in the neighborhood. Grandpa had his own stories of some of his teenage pranks, but never anything that was destructive. As he approached adulthood, grandpa became interested in hot rod cars. He spent much of his time rebuilding car engines. His knowledge and skill of mechanics and his other talents were useful through the years, enabling him to work in the aircraft industry. Lockheed, Vultee, and Douglas aircraft were among the companies he would work for. Tool design, Jig design and prototype mock-ups were among the things he would do.
In the early 1930’s a young woman caught a glimpse of grandpa. She predicted that she would marry him. Her prediction came true, when on February 4th, 1932, LaVene Morris married grandpa. During the next six years they were blessed with 3 children, their first to be a daughter, Laurene Andrea born August 10th, 1934; followed by two sons William Henry born June 22nd, 1936 and Lawrence Joaquin born January 18th, 1938. Their names bore testimony of his love for his family.
Grandpa continued to work in the aircraft industry, and another of his loves became apparent, that was giving knowledge to others. He was a teacher at John Dewey and an instructor at Compton Junior College in the early 1940’s, teaching aircraft design, metal shop and math. When the war came in 1941, grandpa’s talents were needed. He was called back to aircraft production. He moved his family to Oklahoma City where he worked for Douglas Aircraft Company expediting production of the planes needed by the armed services.
Near the end of the war grandpa was transferred back to the Long Beach area, where he and grandma would buy a home that would be their home to this day. Grandpa and grandma and grandma’s nephew Verle would open a nursery in old Lakewood Village. Grandpa loved plants and worked hard. He expanded into landscaping, another of his talents was very useful, the artistic ability he had to create designs, and the results would always be a compliment to his talents.
Grandpa was always a little ahead of the future. The nursery and landscaping business was hard work to be successful in the years after the war. It was obvious to him that there was a greater need for paving, with all the new construction. Grandpa continued successfully in the paving business until his injury to his back forced his retirement in the early 1960’s. The time following his retirement was at times difficult for him, his heart was weakening and his back was stiff from his operation. Grandpa could not be inactive. When he felt good, he would work in the yard and around the house. He would help grandma with things that were difficult for her. He was attentive, often fixing breakfast so she could rest.
Grandpa loved his family. He loved to be with his brothers and sisters when they were living. He loved his nieces and worried about their wellbeing. Grandpa would reminisce about the good times he had and the many experiences he shared with his cousins, and his nieces and their families. Grandpa liked visiting with all of them and remembering old times. The times grandpa looked forward to most were the holidays when his posterity would be gathered together. He enjoyed engaging his family in conversation and telling a story, talking about his book, or telling a little joke. He worried about all of us constantly and he only wanted the best for us. Grandpa was able to do many things he had wanted to do. Grandma and grandpa were able to travel to Europe twice and vacation once in Hawaii. He loved to see new things and visit historic locations, seeing things he had read about.
It would be hard to recount every loving experience that all of us have had with grandpa. We, his children and grandchildren have had a wonderful teacher. Many of his qualities we will never attain. Grandma cherishes the long and happy life they were blessed with. We will remember the good times and the hard times and each of us will hold in remembrance the personal experiences we have had with grandpa and know how much he loved us. We all love you grandpa and we will remember you and love you until the time we are called out of this life and can embrace you and walk with you again.
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