Philip A. Kidder

January 2, 1941 - September 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Philip Arnold Kidder, a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who left this world on September 16 , 2025, at the age of 84 in Nampa, Idaho. Phil is survived by his lovely wife of 29 years, Janet Kidder whom he loved dearly and spoke of with sweet tenderness; his daughters Christine Hill (Darren) and Wendy Kidder Frank (Kevin), and Damion Blackburn (Liv), Alysia Holmes and Jeremy Blackburn (Elyssa); his siblings Carol Sabec (Don), Bob Kidder (Danette) and Jean MacIlroy and Cousin Sissy Arey. He also leaves behind grandchildren Brooks Hill (Katie), Emmaline Hodgin, Skyler Hill, Taylor Hill, Paris Hill, Hailey Hill (Sarah), Jacob Holmes, Daniel Homes, Hunter Blackburn, Joseph Blackburn, Asa Blackburn, Kylar Blackburn and Ellery Blackburn, as well as great-grandchildren Sophie Hodgin, Huxley Hill and Lilah Kidder. Phil was preceded in death by his son Stephan Kidder, grandson Caden Kidder, mother Maria Kidder, Father Francis Kidder (Helen) and siblings Dorothy Vargas and George MacIlroy. Phil also leaves behind multiple nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins. In Phil's last few weeks, his primary concern was that his family knew that he loved them all dearly and would be with them always.

Phil was a funny guy; a Kidder tried and true. He brought laughter and smiles to all who knew him through his sense of humor and what we call, "Kidder-isms," which were his funny ways to talk about or name things; "tasty bananas" (for goodbyes) and reading "destructions" instead of instructions, to name a couple. Phil served in the US Army, mostly in Germany in the early 1960's and was proud of his time in the service where it was in the Corp of Engineers. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in a variety of capacities, but most beloved to him was the 10 missions he served as Mission President. He was active in Girls Camps and Boy Scouts with his children and taught them about the wilderness, survival and how to pull pranks on the other campers! Phil loved nature and took his family to numerous national and state parks over his lifetime, backpacked in the Sierra's with his kids, went camping frequently and even went spelunking in caverns. Professionally, Phil was a mechanical designer/engineer, whose talents were sought after by military generals even after he retired after 35 years with FMC/UD in Santa Clara, California. The pinnacle of his career was designing the 360° turret system and feed system for the M2 Bradley's (which is being used in the Ukraine war against Russia) 25mm chain gun with an integrated dual-feed mechanism. Phil also was involved in design changes for the M1 Abrams tank and M113 armored personnel carrier, in addition to food machinery designs including irrigation lines used across the nation. After retiring, he moved to the Trinity Alps in Northern California where he volunteered for his church and was also a first responder for Trinity County Fire Department for 10 years in an area plagued by severe forest fires and frequent car/truck crashes. Phil moved to Nampa, Idaho six months ago to be nearer to his daughters so they could help care for him while he battled Dementia. He spent his last 6 months at Family Life Memory Care where he teased the staff, surprised him with his fluent Spanish that he learned in his youth, and made friends with the other residents. Although the last month of his life was difficult, the staff provided compassionate and capable care of him, that his family is immensely grateful for. Phil will be missed dearly by all that knew him. We will miss his laughter, his love of our Heavenly Father, and the unconditional love he shared with others.