John Richard "Papa Bear" Kidd

John Richard "Papa Bear" Kidd, 66 of Asheboro passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025 surrounded by his family at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at Sunset Avenue Church of God in Asheboro with Pastor Boyd Byerly officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the sanctuary from 5:30 PM until 6:30 PM and other times at the residence.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro.
Rick was born on April 10, 1959, was a lifelong resident of Randolph County and a 1977 graduate of Eastern Randolph High School. He received his Associates Degree from Chowan College and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with his Bachelor's Degree in History.
Rooted in a love for people, Rick worked at ChemStation/Hunt & Co. as their Business Development Manager for many years, having been selected as a member of the Presidents Club. Throughout his years of service to communities across the state, Rick found joy in making, creating and maintaining the relationships he had cultivated with not only his customers, but his co-workers as well.
Rick married the love of his life, Tammi Brower in 1984 and together they began to build a family built on faith and love. Trips to the beach and mountains, cooking together and serving in church became just a few of his favorite things to do with her. He could be found watching Scotty and Allyson play sports, having made it to nearly every single game throughout their time in school. His love for sports, youth and community led to many years of coaching youth sports at Grays Chapel and Ramseur Elementary School as well as leading Boy Scout's Troop 501 for nearly 18 years. Rick was a selfless husband, father, grandfather and mentor to all who knew him, consistently the same, full of godly wisdom and advice.
Most important in Rick's life was his love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His prayer was that each and every person would see the Lord at the forefront of everything he did. Combining his love for Jesus and his heart of service, Rick held nearly every job in the local church; serving as a deacon, leading Vacation Bible School and teaching Adult Sunday School for more than forty years. Rick was the former CEO of Arborgate Ministries and Rick and Tammi co-led Transit and young adults where he had a passion for helping young men and women as they navigated the more challenging times of life. Many of these young adults became family and have continued to be touched by the kindness and "tough love" of Papa Bear. Rick was a faithful member of Sunset Avenue Church of God. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Kidd and mother, Virginia Carol Whitten Staples.
Survivors: wife of 41 years, Tammi Brower Kidd, daughter, Allyson Kidd Speagle and husband Tyler, son, Scotty Kidd and wife Jessica, grandchildren, Liam Kidd, Jackson and Cole Hussey, brother, Rev. Tommy Kidd and wife Karen, step-father, Jake Staples, sister-in-law, Lisa Willett and husband David, brother-in-law, Andy Brower as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special "thank you" to his caregivers, Michelle and Renee as well as all of the Hospice of Randolph staff for their compassion and care of Rick and the family over the last few months.
Condolences may be made online at www.loflinfuneralservice.com.
Arrangements by Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.
Memorials may be made to Sunset Avenue Church of God Transit Young Adults, PO Box 938, Asheboro, NC 27204 or to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203.
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