Wesley Edward Kidd, II

Wesley "Wes" Edward Kidd, II, 91, of Glen Ellyn. Beloved husband of the late Alice J. Kidd. Dedicated father to Julie Kidd Cook (Mark), Marilee Gerdes (Mike), Wesley Edward Kidd, III (Amy). Fond grandfather of Ian Cook (Anna Italiano), Johanna Cook, Sarah Jayne Pamatmat (Justin), Ruby Kidd, Tanner Kidd. Most loved great grandfather of Wesley Rey Pamatmat and Issac Gaetano Italiano Cook. Son of Wesley Edward Kidd and Tharsilla Margaret (Farwell) Kidd. Brother of Larry (Prudy) Kidd and Arlene (Frank) Haynes and uncle to many nieces and nephews. 

Wesley Edward Kidd II was born in Chicago, IL on August 13, 1933. He grew up in his beloved Glen Ellyn, IL attending Main Street School and graduating from Glenbard in 1951. He recalled stories of riding his bike, skating on Lake Ellyn, and working at his uncle’s gas station. He attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduating in 1957. He reconnected with a high school classmate, Alice Jorgensen, and they married in 1958. Wes was stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY with the U.S. Army where daughter Julie was born, before being transferred to Landstuhl, Germany where daughter Marilee was born. Wes was transferred to Ft. Gordon in Augusta, GA where son Wesley was born. While living in the south, he enjoyed boating and water skiing as well as gardening and yardwork.

Wes did two tours of duty, one in Korea, and one in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Signal Corps (101st and 82nd Airborne) in 1968 where he was awarded a Bronze Star.

He was briefly stationed at Ft. Rucker, AL and then Bangkok, Thailand for two years. Along the way, he achieved the rank of major and earned a master’s degree in education from Troy University. After returning to the U.S. in 1972, Wes entered civilian life. In 1974, the family moved to Glen Ellyn, his hometown. Wes worked with his brother-in-law in insurance and then in telecommunications with Bell Labs which later became Lucent.

Wes was mechanically minded and loved to work on cars and other projects to repair and give things a second life. He traveled to Europe with Alice and to many parts of the U.S. His lifelong love of photography started when he was a boy with an at-home dark room and continued with taking pictures everywhere he went. Wes participated in camera clubs, photography competitions, and loved sharing his photographs with family and friends.

Wes had a great curiosity and interest in the news, politics, local, and world events. He read and saved countless articles from the newspaper and internet. He marveled at nature, commenting on how there must be a creator because of how things in the world were made. He was on a quest to find the oldest tree in Glen Ellyn and could sometimes be found measuring the circumference of trees around town.

After Alice passed, Wes was part of a group of men who met regularly for breakfast, at the VFW, and to watch high school sports and local events. He stayed active enjoying golf at the Village Links, visiting the Glen Ellyn Library, and supporting the Glen Ellyn Historical Society, where he was an enthusiastic member.

Wes was a proud American serving as West Point Class of 1957 Scribe and wrote many letters of condolence when his fellow classmates passed away. He loved his country, his town, his friends, his family, and his life. He will be dearly missed.

A service celebrating Wes’ life will be at Leonard Memorial Funeral Home, 565 Duane Street in Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 on Saturday, June 28 at 11 AM (preceded by an open visitation at 10 AM).

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the Gary Sinese Founation in Wes's name. Online or by mail, Gary Sinise Foundation C/O Gift Processing Department, PO Box 1858, Merrifield, VA 22116-9641

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Wesley Edward Kidd, II, please visit our Tree Store.