Shawn Thomas Kidd, 49, of Gulf Breeze, FL., passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

If you asked Shawn where he was from, he would say "I was born in England, raised in Spain, Nevada, and Arizona." Shawn was born March 10, 1976, in Banbury, England to an English mother, Christine Jennifer Hall Kidd, and an American father, John Thomas Kidd. Shawn talked about his ancestry saying "I am Irish, English, and Scottish. I fight with myself most days, let alone anyone else." More of that fighting spirit to come.

Shawn talked about his early life in Spain where he would translate menus for his parents and the local community liked to rub his blonde hair for good luck. His love of aviation may have started in Spain when he tried to jump off a roof with an umbrella with the intent to float or even better, fly.

During his younger years, in Arizona, Shawn lived the life that carries on in his many shared stories of high school escapades including his position as a middle linebacker playing football. He spent time with his father bonding over their love of baseball. It has been said that if you look closely, you can see Shawn carrying concessions in the movie Major League. The Tire Tree in Arizona is also the birthplace of the "Original A** Kicker."

Shawn's miliary career also started in Arizona. He took summer classes to graduate early at 17 to join the Air Force and become the "barrel chested freedom fighter" he was destined to be. He served for 20 years in the Air Force and Arizona National Guard working as Crew Chief on the B-1 and F-16, Navigator, RC-135U Electronic Warfare Office (earning outstanding EWO of the year 2007), B-1B Weapons System Officer/Bombardier. During these years, Shawn obtained his private pilot's license. He also earned his solo skydive after completing his required tandem jumps consecutively all in one day because Shawn was not patient about what he wanted. He retired in 2014 at the rank of Major, the highest-ranking officer in his family having served as a Combat Veteran (OEF/OIF) and in 3 wars total. He "flew with the best and drank with the rest."

Shawn was given the call sign "Scraps" and there is so much to say here. He would tell you that "you don't have to be the biggest guy on the block, just the meanest" and Shawn loved a good fight. He could turn into that "pissed off Irishman" instantaneously, then instinct took over. He had inspiration growing up from his Uncle Tommy, a bareknuckle boxing champion, military pilot, and bar owner "back East" where his father's family was from and from his older brother, Bobby Daly, who was also known for his love of a good fight. Shawn's love of the fight was not just in the aggressive physical altercation, he would also fight for the underdog and always for women and children, speaking to his natural "protector" nature.

Shawn followed his military career in multiple roles as a civil servant, private sector instructor and government contractor. He most loved working in Central/South America doing drug interdiction.

Shawn had a love of motorcycles (Harley Davidson), football (Green Bay Packers/Auburn University), hockey (Bruins/Whalers) and most of all baseball (Red Sox). Shawn had a legacy love of the Red Sox that he shared with his father, brother, sons, and grandsons. He was able to visit the "cathedral" of baseball at Fenway Park on multiple occasions. As is the case with many who serve in the military, a nomadic lifestyle tends to be the most comfortable.  Shawn was certainly this way.  From Curaçao to Okinawa and from Turks & Caicos to his favorite of all, Crete, Shawn traveled the world and always felt "at home" wherever he was.

Shawn's greatest love, even more than that of his love of aviation and baseball, was that for his family. He was the proud father to his firstborn son, Dalton Thomas Kidd, and second born, Colby Michael Kidd and stepson, Jeremy Blake Sims. He has loved watching them become the men they are today and helping them plan for their futures. Shawn absolutely adored them and wanted the best for them. He wanted them to know the "sportsmanship and gentlemanship" of being a good man. His family was blessed when Jeremy married his wife, Dezi, and together they gave him 3 beautiful grandchildren, Beau, Mila, and Rhys.

Shawn loved and adored his wife, Michelle. He would say she was meant for him and was "the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He expressed his love for her multiple times with the quote "The sun doesn't rise in the East, it rises with you."  Shawn also loved showing his love for Michelle using Navigation terms he knew so well from his flying career. His most recent tattoo was a compass on his left hand with North facing his wedding ring.  He said, "You are my True North."

Shawn has promised to be waiting for Michelle, the love of his life, at Heaven's gate.

Shawn will be welcomed to heaven by his father, John, and his brother, Bobby, along with his brothers in arms that went before him. Til Valhalla

Whether you knew him as Shawn, Son, Pops, Dad, Honey, Uncle, PapaShawn, Scraps, Brother, A**hole, he would say he loved us all, F*** the Yankees and Go Red Sox.