Gary Merle Kidwell, 56, of Flatwoods, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.
Born at Paris on April 19, 1967, Merle was the son of Gary and Alice Nelson Kidwell of Vanceburg.
He was of the Christian faith and a member of Vanceburg Christian Church. Merle had a deep love for all sports from a very young age, growing up with both a mother and father who were coaches. He played multiple sports growing up, but found his deepest passion for basketball, playing throughout high school and college.
Graduate assistant coaching opportunities at Otterbein College, Shawnee State University, and Morehead State University all prepared him for a long career in basketball. Merle spent most of his life impacting the lives of students and athletes, being a high school English teacher and coach in both the Lewis County and Russell Independent School districts. Merle coached boys’ basketball at LCHS and then moved to the Russell area in 1999 and began coaching girls’ basketball and volleyball, and later boys’ basketball at RHS and Greenup County High School.
He had retired in 2019 but remained active as a substitute teacher and also as a sports writer and broadcaster for local media outlets. Merle loved promoting local student athletes and loved following high school sports throughout the Commonwealth and had coaching friends all across the state he kept in touch with on a regular basis.
Merle didn’t just follow local high school sports, he was also loved his Kentucky Wildcats, Cincinnati Bengals and Reds, and The Ohio State Buckeyes football team. There wasn’t a day that went by he didn’t watch some type of game on TV or at least the highlights on ESPN.
He often attended games in person when he could and loved a good tailgate at Commonwealth Stadium or a trip to Great American Ballpark. Merle was an avid golfer and after retirement had truly enjoyed the ability to golf at his leisure and the friendships he had made as a member of Bellefonte Country Club.
Even as much as Merle loved basketball and golf, he cherished his family the most. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, and father.
In addition to his parents, Merle leaves behind his wife of nearly 15 years, Mandy Jackson Kidwell. He was the proud father of three children, Carson Gary Kidwell of Ashland, Kathryn “Kate” McRae Kidwell and Selah Abigail Kidwell both of Flatwoods, and two loving sisters, Stacy Kidwell of Vanceburg and Tai Kidwell (Keith) Hieneman of Flatwoods. He was the proud uncle of Alex Kidwell, Claire Hieneman, and Jack Hieneman. His loving mother-in-law, Crystal Holbrook Jackson of Flatwoods, also survives.
Merle also leaves behind many close friends, family members, former teammates, players, and coaching friends who sadly, mourn his loss.
He was welcomed into Heaven by his loving grandparents, Merle Nelson, Lillian “Biddy” Nelson Harper, Robert Harper, Thelma and Jess Gulley, and Marcus and Shirley Kidwell, and his late father-in-law, Darryl Jackson.
Services will be Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Lewis County High School gymnasium with visitation after 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Merle Kidwell Sports Foundation, c/o Jeff Lyons, Desco Federal Credit Union, 1211 Carter Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101.
Arrangements are under the direction of Preston Family Funeral Home in Ashland.
