Travis Patrick Kidd Jr., 73

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[He was born January 18, 1935, in Murphysboro, IL, and was known to family members as "Pat".

He grew up in Chester, IL, on Hancock Street, and graduated from Chester High School where he was class President. A man of strong faith, he went into the Catholic Seminary for a year, after which he attended college for two years. He served in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge when his enlistment was up. As a young man he enjoyed traveling, which included trips to Canada and Puerto Rico. An accomplished writer, he worked in Baltimore, MD, for a time as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun. His short articles were published in the Atlantic Monthly Magazine as well. Pat loved Baltimore where he had a circle of literary friends. After retirement, Travis returned once more to Chester, IL, where he lived his later years with his mother, Patricia Kennedy.

Survivors include his mother of Chester; one brother, James Timothy Kennedy of Virginia Beach, VA; and cousins-Pam Kennedy of PA, Tom Kennedy of VA, and D.J. Kennedy of Chester.

According to his wishes, Travis was cremated. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements were handled by Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, IL.