April 18, 2025 I Obituary
Founder of Kidder Music Jim Kidder Passes Away
Jim Kidder
Founder of Kidder Music and a NASMD past-president James “Jim” Eugene Kidder passed away on April 15. He was 84 years old.
Kidder was strongly influenced by his high school band teacher, who encouraged him to continue playing the trumpet. Kidder attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where he received a degree in music education and went on to earn his master’s in school administration from Bradley University. While teaching band in Lacon, Illinois, he met his future wife Floride “Ede” Barnes. They married in 1965. Kidder began his career in music retail that same year when he joined Byerly Music as a roadman. Jim and Ede founded Kidder Music Service in 1974, which is now led by their daughter Beth Houlihan. Last year, the business celebrated its 50th anniversary.
In November, Music Inc. ran a story on Kidder Music’s 50th anniversary. In the story, Jim shared his feelings on his company hitting the half-century mark.
“We’ve received several plaques, accolades and proclamations for the state and the city and other music organizations in the area in recognition of our 50th anniversary,” Jim said in the article. “So, if I said I wasn’t proud of it, I would be lying. Because we’re very proud. I am very proud.”
Jim was a lifelong advocate for music education. He served on the boards of NAMM and NASMD, and was president of NASMD from 2004–2005. Locally, he was active on the boards of the Peoria Symphony and the Peoria Symphony Foundation in Peoria, Illinois, the Heartland Festival Orchestra, and the Wheels of Time Museum. He played trumpet in the Peoria Area Senior Citizens band.
Jim is survived by his wife Ede, daughter Beth Houlihan and her husband Jay, son Matthew Kidder, and grandchildren Maggie Ann Kidder, Jason Gaughan, Hannah DeBernardi and Robert Houlihan.
