Gary Roger Kidwell, 82, of Vanceburg, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Vanceburg Hills, following a long battle with dementia.
A lifelong Lewis Countian, he was born September 20, 1943, at Stricklett, a son of the late Marcus E. (Shirley) Kidwell and Thelma Sapp (Jess) Gulley.
After graduating from Lewis County High School in 1961, Gary pursued a career in education at Morehead State University, earning Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Rank I degrees. While at MSU, Gary met and married his wife of 61 years, Alice Nelson Kidwell, on September 6, 1964.
Gary began his teaching and coaching career at Millersburg Military Institute in 1965. In 1967, he was given the opportunity to return to his home in Lewis County and continue his career, where he would serve the students and athletes of Lewis County Schools for 50 years.
During his time with the Lewis County Schools, “Coach” served in numerous roles. He started out teaching and coaching basketball and baseball and was integral in reviving the football program at LCHS. He later served as athletic director for many years, representing Lewis County on numerous state and national boards. Many Lewis County alumni remember him as the comical driver’s education teacher as he fearlessly taught many young students and members of the community to drive.
Anyone who knew Coach knew his passion for all things sports. He loved his Lewis County Lions, Kentucky Wildcats, Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, and Morehead State Eagles. His dedicated following of his favorite teams led to his long-time interest in sports media. This afforded him countless opportunities to attend and cover games on local, state, and national stages. He was honored to have the chance to cover his Wildcats in bowl games, SEC and NCAA tournaments, the Reds in the World Series, and the MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati.
But he was most proud of his local media efforts that he used as a platform to promote local student athletes. Gary hosted a weekly sports radio show, “Saturday Morning Sports,” and wrote a weekly sports column in The Lewis County Herald, “Kidwell’s Korner,” and was the “Voice of the Lions” on WKKS Radio for more than 50 years.
If you attended a Sweet Sixteen basketball tournament in the last 60 years, you were sure to see Gary in attendance sharing stories, jokes, and memories with long-time friends from across the state.
Through his many years of service to the sports world, Gary was honored to receive several cherished awards, including induction into five halls of fame: KHSAA–Dawahares Hall of Fame, KABC Court of Honor, NHSCA Hall of Fame, Morehead State University Alumni Hall of Fame, and Lewis County High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also named KHSADA Athletic Director of the Year in 1995 and was a top-5 finalist for National Athletic Director of the Year. Gary also enjoyed umpiring softball, advancing to call multiple state championships. A highlight of Gary’s summer for many years was umpiring at the Mike Borders Beagle Classic. He also spent 26 years as commissioner of the Eastern Kentucky Conference.
Aside from sports, Gary’s greatest loves were his children and grandchildren. You could often find him cheering them on from the sidelines, no matter the sport or activity. He was always proud of their accomplishments and never shy to brag on them to others. He always loved the annual Kidwell family vacations and was guaranteed to provide plenty of content for hilarious stories for years to come.
He was the king of “one-liners,” always cracking a joke and lighting up a room with laughter. Even into his last months, he was attempting to deliver his famous punchlines with a smile on his face.
Gary was of Christian faith and was a devoted member of Vanceburg Christian Church, serving as a deacon for many years.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Alice Nelson Kidwell; two daughters, Stacy Anne Kidwell of Morehead and Tai Kidwell Hieneman (Keith) of Flatwoods; one daughter-in-law, Mandy Kidwell of Flatwoods; six grandchildren, Carson Kidwell, Kate Kidwell, Alex Kidwell, Selah Kidwell, Claire Hieneman, and Jack Hieneman; two brothers, Barry Gulley (Cindy) of Whiteburg, Georgia, and Mark Kidwell (Monica) of Pensacola, Florida; four sisters, Tonia Berry (Charles) and Ginger Miller (Gary) of Flemingsburg, Dana Hammonds (David) of Hebron, and Tara Reed (Brian) of Lexington; and his uncle Kenneth Sapp, who was like a brother to him.
In addition to his parents, he was welcomed into Heaven by his beloved son, Gary “Merle” Kidwell, and his grandparents, Hanson and Maggie Sapp and Ashel and Rosa Kidwell.
Services will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Vanceburg Christian Church with Pastor Tom Cox Jr. officiating. A fellowship dinner will follow the service at the church prior to traveling to the burial service at Mound Cemetery in Piketon, Ohio. Visitation will be at the church after 9:00 a.m. Saturday.
Arrangements are under the direction of Gaydos Funeral Home in Vanceburg.
As Gary said and wrote for many years, “This is the old right-hander saying, ‘Have a good week in sports!’”
Condolences may be sent at GaydosFH.com.
