Obituaries

Albert Earl Kidwell, Jr.

Photo of Albert Earl Kidwell, Jr.
ALBERT EARL KIDWELL JR., 60, received his heavenly reward on December 31, 2012 after battling pulmonary fibrosis. Al was born on November 28, 1952 at Miami Baptist Hospital in Miami, Oklahoma to the Reverend Albert Earl and Louise (Dareing) Kidwell. Al spent his formative years in Wyandotte, Oklahoma where he attended school from 1st through 12th grades, and honed his creative writing talent. After graduation he then continued his education at NEO A&M in Miami, Oklahoma; Oklahoma Sate University in Stillwater, Oklahoma and The University of Arkansas, Little Rock where he received his B.S. in Communications in Radio Broadcasting. He began his career in radio, working in Oklahoma City and Little Rock. He worked for a short period of time in Spartanburg, South Carolina in the Fall of 1977. It was here that he met the love of his life, Diane White Snipes. He proposed to her on New Year's Eve of that year and she accepted. He then continued the practice by proposing to her every year on New Year's Eve for the next 34 years. The couple was married on February 17, 1978 in Oklahoma City. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where Al worked in radio for the next 25 years. He was currently employed by Verizon Wireless as a business analyst. Al accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at an early age and continued to serve his Lord throughout his life. He was ordained as a deacon for Natural Steps Baptist Church. He also served as a Sunday School teacher, Awanas leader and audio visual technician. He was currently a member of Chenal Valley Baptist Church Family in Little Rock, Arkansas. Al is survived by his wife; a daughter, Jessica Leigh Kidwell; two sons, Joshua Earl Kidwell and Max Snipes; and a grandson, Alex Snipes, all of Little Rock, Arkansas; two sisters and their husbands, Sarah and Jet Torrence of Edmond, Oklahoma and Becky and Duane Enoch of Miami, Oklahoma; a brother and his wife, Reverend M.R. and Toni Kidwell of Yuma, Arizona. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He leaves behind his beloved dog, Bo and 3 friends whom he considered to be his brothers: Dave Simpson of Wyandotte, Oklahoma; Mitchell Terry of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Duane Enoch of Miami, Oklahoma. Services for Al Kidwell will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Chenal Valley Baptist Church, 1800 Rahling Road, Little Rock. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. with the memorial service following at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Al's memory to the Chenal Valley Baptist Church. Arrangements provided by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 (501) 224-8300. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published January 3, 2013

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