Joe G. McKiddie Jr.
7/14/1932 - 1/8/2025
In the afternoon of January 8, 2025, at the age of 92, Joe McKiddie passed peacefully from this life while at home with his family, as was his wish. Born in Oklahoma City to Joe, Sr. and Alva McKiddie on July 14, 1932, he moved to Houston as an infant and it was there he grew into a man.
In his early school years, he would ride his horse to school, hitching it to a tree in the field across the road. Quitting high school at 16, he and his best buddy Fred lied about their ages to enlist in the Army. Joe spent 3 years in Korea and was discharged as a sergeant. Upon returning to Houston, he went to work at Signal Oil and Gas alongside his father. Not long thereafter, he met the woman who would become his wife. He proposed on their first date, married her 3 weeks later, and just recently celebrated 71 years of marital bliss with her.
After retiring from the same refinery where he had begun his career, known by then as Charter Oil, Joe started his own company, McKiddie Mechanical, with two of his most notable contracts being El Paso Refining and Disneyland. It was during this time, he and his wife moved to Kerrville, Texas, where he eventually spent his retirement years.
While the oil and gas business was his bread and butter, Joe enjoyed several side businesses including raising cattle on a farm in Grapeland, TX, building many homes from the ground up doing all plumbing, electrical, dry wall, etc., himself, as well as operating a shrimp boat in Kemah, TX. He was truly a renaissance man.
He adored his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “Pawpaw” was the rock of the family and throughout his entire life was strong and courageous. He climbed trees and on to rooftops well into his eighties. His most memorable feat of courage was battling an alligator with a 9 iron during a round of golf on the Gulf coast.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; son, Derek McKiddie; great-grandson, Walker Heimann; sister, Sue Ward; and brothers, Neil McKiddie and Tom McKiddie.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores Brenek McKiddie; daughter, Brenda Heimann and husband Bud of Kerrville; son, Joe McKiddie III of Pearland; and daughter-in-law, Bridget McKiddie of Kerrville; grandchildren, Megan Cavazos, Meagan Murray, Drew Murray, Jake Heimann, and Cooper McKiddie; great-grandchildren, Carter Myers, Madelyn Cavazos, Finn Murray, Brady Heimann, McKinnlee Murray, Connor Cavazos, Brad Murray, Jackson Heimann, and Hadley Murray.
The family would like to give special thanks to Peterson Hospice including Dr. Young, Callie, Jessica, and especially Teresa for the care and compassion shown to Joe in his hours of need.
A graveside service will be held at the Garden of Memories in Kerrville on Monday, January 13 at 1:00 followed by a gathering of friends and family at the home of his daughter at 513 Fairway Drive, Kerrville, TX.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Peterson Hospice, 250 Cully Drive, Kerrville, TX, 78028.
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