Michael T. Kildow

La Quinta – Michael T. “Terry” Kildow died Sunday, May 1 at his home in La Quinta, Calif., with his wife Betty by his side after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Born to Lester Kildow and Genevieve (Gilfillan) Kildow in Kewanee Illinois on September 18, 1940. In 1948, Terry, his mother, and sister Marcia moved to Los Angeles where Terry attended elementary and high school.

After serving in the United States Army Military Police, he moved to Indiana where he first became involved in the firefighting profession with the new Purdue University Fire Department. He took up the job as a way to earn tuition, and in doing so, found his life’s work.

Inspired by a song, Terry, Betty and their son Kent moved to Mill Valley, California in 1972. Son Wyatt joined the family in 1973. He began his career with the Alto-Richardson Fire District Bay, rising through the ranks as a firefighter, training officer, lieutenant, and in 1978, chief. He retired from the Alto-Richardson Bay Fire District/Southern Marin Fire Protection District in 2001 after 29 years of service. He appreciated and respected each of the firefighters with whom he had the privilege of working.

After his retirement, Terry, Betty and her grandson Sebastian moved to Ulen (Lebanon), Indiana, until 2016 when they moved to their current home in La Quinta, California.

In addition to studying psychology while at Purdue, Terry earned an associate’s degree in fire science from the College of Marin and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco.

Throughout his life, he has volunteered for many community organizations and activities including Pack Master of Troop 1 in Mill Valley, Little League Coach, Equipment Manager for the Tamalpais High School Football Team and president of the Tamalpais Booster Club. At La Quinta, he volunteered with LifeStream to transport blood to distribution centers and hospitals.

His interests included performing as a supernumerary with the San Francisco Opera, golf, travel, card games, music, and reading. Along the way, he learned to tap dance and play steel pan just for fun.

Terry loved and cherished his family. He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, his beloved sons, Kent (Joanne) of Ramsey, NJ, and Wyatt (Evelyn) of San Jose, CA as well as his brother-in-law Joseph Nicosia of Northridge, CA. , Betty’s brother and wife, Dale and Dianne Jeffries of Evergreen, CO and her sister and husband, Jean Ellen and John Travelsted of Clayton, IN, and five nieces and nephews. Above all, he loved being a grandfather to Sebastian Kildow of Atlanta, GA and Annaleise Kildow of Savannah GA. He was predeceased by his mother, father and sister Marcia Nicosia.

Grateful thanks to Mission Health Hospice for their care and assistance, with special thanks to Bianca, Susan, Katie and Xyrus.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to LifeStream Blood Bank, 46-660 Washington Street #4, La Quinta, CA 92253 and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500 Chicago, IL 6061.