Gene Lidgett

On Jan. 8, Eugene W. Lidgett, 81, died at his home with his wife by his side.

He was born April 30, 1938, to William and Leota (Bond) Lidgett in Huron, S.D., He was raised at Yale, S.D., where his parents farmed.

He later moved to Huron where he met Kay, the girl he would marry. They were married May 19, 1957, in Erwin, S.D. They raised two daughters, Rhonda and Sherry. They moved to Hill City, S.D., in 1966, where Lidgett started his own mechanic business, Hills Equipment Repair, where his work took him as far as Colorado.

Lidgett’s passion was flying. He started flying lessons in 1968, eventually purchasing his own plane. He enjoyed taking family and friends for airplane rides. Lidgett took his mother-in-law for her first plane ride on her 60th birthday. He enjoyed traveling with Kay in their motor home to Arizona for the winter.

Lidgett loved his family and friends, barbeques, get togethers and holidays. Lidgett loved working on his granddaughter Carrie’s Thunderbird. Lidgett was looking forward to flying with his grandson, Michael, who followed in his Grandpa’s footsteps and became a pilot. He taught his granddaughter, Amber, to drive because he had nerves of steel.

Lidgett was preceded in death by his parents, William and Leota. 

He is survived by his wife, Kay; daughters,  Rhonda (Tim) Fisher and Sherry (Randy) Volmer; grandchildren, Amber (Daniel) Matt, Michael Fisher and Carrie Fisher; great-granddaughter, Sierra Matt; brother, Vern Lidgett; several cousins, nieces and nephews and his extended family, Tonya, Mike and Daventoe Cartwright.

Gene will be honored at the EAA Fallen Aviator Memorial in Oshkosh, Wis., where he flew into and attended the annual air show for many years.

Lidgett was loved and admired. He was a wonderful husband, the best dad ever. He will be deeply missed.

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