Obituary of George Charles Kidwell

George C. Kidwell

March 4, 1972 - April 25, 2017

George Kidwell died peacefully on April 25, 2017 at the age of 90, due to complications related to dementia, at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, Washington.

George was born in Ranta Rosa, California to Charles and Amelia Kidwell, joining sisters Kathryn and Norma at their home in Guerneville. In 1934, the family moved to an 8-acre property on Armstrong Woods Road, where they lived in an upstairs room above the garage while the home was being built. After the sudden death of George's father in 1937, the family moved to Sebastopol, CA. George graduated from Analy High School in 1945 and was drafted immediately into the army. He spent his enlisted time on the Alaskan island of Adak and was honorably discharged on November 23, 1946.

On October 6, 1950 George married his 'Honey' and best friend, Rebecca Banks, and became a father to her son from an earlier marriage. Over the next few years, the family grew to include another son and a daughter. They lived in Santa Rosa, Cloverdale, Ukiah and Petaluma before moving back to Santa Rosa in 1964, where another daughter was born the following year. George and Rebecca resided in their Rincon Valley home for over 42 years. In 2007, they moved to the Lodge at Paulin Creek due to concerns about George's loss of sight from Macular Degeneration. In June of 2016 they moved to Vancouver, Washington where George lived with Rebecca in an Adult Family Home close to a daughter and her family.

After retiring in May of 1987 from a 20+ year career as a Sales Tax Collector for the California State Board of Equalization, George and Rebecca turned their travel trailer hobby into a full-time endeavor. They ventured east to New York, south to Florida, and north to Alaska, along with frequent trips to Santa Cruz to stay at one of their favorite spots, Seacliff State Park. They also enjoyed attending local and regional theatre productions, jazz festivals, and taking frequent trips to Reno and Tahoe for shows and Black Jack; a game at which George excelled and thoroughly enjoyed.

George was a great storyteller, making friends wherever he went. He was always industrious, hardworking, and honest, and he loved a good (clean) joke. He was especially fond of Big Band music and The Lawrence Welk Show, and enjoyed researching his ancestry. He never ceased to be amazed at the advances made in technology and medical care within his lifetime.

George leaves behind his wife, Rebecca, of 66 years; daughter, Linda Bisch (Scott) of Vancouver, WA; daughter, Mary Kidwell of Orinda, CA; and daughter-in-law, Karen Kidwell of Oakley, CA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Matthew Bisch of Seattle, WA, Kyle Bisch (Stephanie) of Vancouver, WA; and great-grandchildren, Leah and Viktor of Vancouver, WA.

George was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters; and by sons, Gary Kidwell and Charles Kidwell.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Victoria's AFH, Peace Health Hospice Southwest and Ray Hickey Hospice House for the very loving care George received in his final months.

No service will be held, at George's request. But donations in George's honor can be made to your local blood bank, as he was a strong blood bank supporter, donating over 12 gallons to Blood Bank of the Redwoods in his lifetime.