Jack Leon Kidwell

Jack Leon Kidwell, age 92, of Petersburg, Virginia passed away Sunday, August 31, 2025. He was born in Arlington County, Virginia on August 3, 1933, one of nine children. In his early adult years his energy was spent raising six children and growing a business in turfgrass production. He was always bringing home little animals who were lost or abandoned, squirrels, birds, cats and dogs of various breeds. Throughout his lifetime he was perpetually involved in working the land, whether it be building ponds, installing farm roads, planting and sowing grass, designing and installing irrigation systems for his farm properties, or working with promising new bermudagrass cultivars.

After graduating from Fairfax High School, he served three years in the Marines attaining the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of the Boxing Team of both his high school and the military. While still serving in the Marines, he and his first wife married in 1952. Upon leaving the Marines, he began his career in turfgrass, cutting sod rolls from leased farm fields. He opened J. L. Kidwell Landscape in 1959, purchasing his first turf farm in Remington, Virginia in 1964. His second turf farm in Baskerville, Virginia was purchased in 1973. He had developed a love of flying, so obtaining an airplane served the purpose of travel between his two farms. During these years of growing a family and a business, he also served in the Jaycees and various Town of Culpeper initiatives, as well as leadership positions in the turfgrass industry for a number of years.

For decades Jack, with his dedicated and hand-trained crew, sodded athletic fields across Virginia, and this worked developed into turnkey athletic field construction. Some of his memorable projects include the Green Bay Packers (resodding Lambeau Field in the middle of a snow storm, resulting in a playoff win, sending the team to the Super Bowl for the final win), resodding RFK Stadium for The Washington Redskins (now Commanders) for 32 years, Baltimore Ravens and the Carolina Panthers. These were all challenges which Jack met with skill, determination and a desire to always give customers the best. Jack always believed that everyone is worthy of an opportunity, so he gave his daughter the opportunity to work alongside him, a work relationship that lasted for 32 years.

Jack is survived by his brother, Fred Kidwell, his son, Jack Kidwell, Jr. (Pat), his daughters Melissa Reynolds (Tim), Suzy Boyd (John), Mary Lou Soto (Leo), Nancy Sexton, and Christy Gmelch. His grandchildren surviving him are Ivan (Mechelle), Clinton (Emily), Meredith (Arthur), Emily (Johnny), Jillian, Taylor (EJ), Casie (Jacob), Olivia, Monica, Stefan, Robert Jr., Benjamin, and Megan. Step-grandchildren are Michael Reynolds (Brittany), Dana Thompson (Jeff), and Kristine Allen (Tim); fourteen great grandchildren also survive him.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Hamilton and Thelma Staats Kidwell, sisters Gloria, Christine, Betty, Charlotte, Shirley, Loraine and Sherry; first wife, Lucy Ann Kidwell, and second wife, Cynthia Weaver Kidwell preceded him in death. Grandson Jason Dan Jordan and son-in-law Robert Sexton passed before him.

When life was slowing down and there was time to listen to talks about Jesus and the need for salvation, Jack at 89 years declared his faith in Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. He was baptized in May of 2023 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church by Pastor Joey Anthony. What a celebration then and what a celebration now as Heaven has received a new saint. Amen!  A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church 3110 Greenwood Avenue Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834 with the Reverend Dr. Joey Anthony officiating. Interment will be private. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.