Karl Eugene Kidman's Obituary
Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Karl Eugene Kidman, passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2025. Karl was born on June 24, 1945, in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the first child of Don Carlos and Dorthy Hultquist Kidman. He grew up in Toppenish, Washington, and attended BYU before his LDS mission call to the Central British Mission. Drafted into the Vietnam War after his mission, he decided to go to Officer Candidate School, where he received training in Special Forces as a Green Beret. His father gave him a blessing to preserve his life. Karl served as a 1st Lieutenant in the jungles in Vietnam and earned a Purple Heart and 3 Bronze Stars. He returned to Utah, where he served as a Captain of the National Guard 19th Special Forces Group. While attending BYU, he worked at Foreign Auto Works in Provo.
Two weeks after Karl married Deborah Murdock, his father asked him to develop land he had purchased on the Amazon River. Karl and Deborah moved to Belém, Brazil, where Karl was called to be the LDS Branch President of the Amazon River area and served there for 3 years. Karl later served faithfully as a Scoutmaster, Young Men President, and in Bishoprics in Texas, California, and Utah. Karl and Deborah had two children born in Brazil and two children born in Utah and Texas.
After returning to Utah, Karl graduated from BYU in Business Management. He began working for Pepsi-Cola in Houston, followed by Coca-Cola in San Antonio as their Directors of Fountain & Vending. He later started business ventures, including a Schlotzsky's Restaurant Developer in the San Francisco Bay Area, All Event & Tent Rental in Orem, Utah, and Extreme Funplex and The Zone, also in Orem, Utah. Finally, he became a home inspector in Utah for the last 15 years, which he enjoyed. He sold his inspection business last December and finally retired.
When younger, Karl loved motocross racing with his brother and friends. He also enjoyed building and repairing things. He could fix anything. He loved reading the scriptures and any books on science and the universe.
Karl was currently serving an LDS mission at the Saratoga Springs Employment Center after serving more than 2 years at the Provo Transitional Services Office. He had a kind heart and loved helping others. He recently celebrated his 50th Wedding Anniversary with his wife. They have four children, Dawn Poulton (Josh), Jared Kidman, Mark Kidman (Melissa), and Katrina Merz. He cherished his 10 grandchildren and loved spending time with each of them: Calvin, Jonas, and Rory Poulton; Amelia, Gwen, Eliza, Ruby, and Clarissa Kidman; Felix and Ari Merz.
Karl was a man of great faith and love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. His family and friends will greatly miss him
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday July 19, 2025 at the Cascade 1st Ward, 481 East Center Street ~ Orem, Utah. Interment to follow at American Fork City Cemetery.
Please watch the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkr61G3BZxk
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