Steve Kidd is best known as the father of NBA Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, one of the greatest point guards in basketball history. Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Steve was a hardworking entrepreneur, a devoted family man, and the single most influential person in shaping Jason Kidd’s character both on and off the basketball court. His story is one of quiet dedication, relentless support, and a deep love for his family that ultimately produced one of professional sport’s most celebrated legacies.
Bio Table: Steve Kidd at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Steve Gregory Kidd |
| Date of Birth | 1938 (estimated) |
| Place of Birth | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Occupation | Businessman, Entrepreneur |
| Employer (Early Career) | Trans World Airlines (TWA) |
| Business Ventures | Jerry Kidd Petroleum Industry; Kidd Jones Inc. |
| Spouse | Anne Kidd (Irish-American) |
| Children | Jason Kidd, Kimberly Kidd, Denise Kidd |
| Famous For | Father of NBA Hall of Famer Jason Kidd |
| Date of Death | May 1999 |
| Cause of Death | Heart Attack |
| Age at Death | Approximately 60 years old |
| Residence | Oakland, California, USA |
Early Life and Background
Steve Gregory Kidd was born in 1938 in San Francisco, California, where he grew up with a strong appreciation for hard work and athletics. He developed a passion for sport from an early age and carried those values throughout his life, eventually passing them on to his son Jason.
Steve’s upbringing in the Bay Area shaped the disciplined, community-minded character that would later define his role as a father. He believed firmly in the power of education, perseverance, and sport as tools for building strong character in young people.
Career: From Airlines to Petroleum
Steve Kidd began his professional career working for Trans World Airlines (TWA), a position that required frequent travel and gave him a broad perspective on the wider world. His work with the airline laid the financial foundation for the family’s comfortable lifestyle in the affluent community of Oakland, California.
Building on that success, Steve went on to found the Jerry Kidd Petroleum Industry and Kidd Jones Inc., a chain of gas stations and restaurants operating across Texas. These business ventures grew his personal wealth considerably, with estimates placing the combined net worth of Steve and his wife Anne at approximately $18 million. His entrepreneurial drive became a model of ambition and discipline that Jason carried into the NBA.
The Man Behind Jason Kidd’s Success
Steve Kidd was far more than a supportive parent watching from the stands. He actively coached Jason in youth basketball, drove him to practice sessions, and spent countless hours on the court helping him sharpen his skills. Jason has spoken publicly about how his father taught him the importance of patience, fundamentals, and teamwork, values that defined Jason’s playing style throughout his career.
Jason described their bond simply: “My dad was a big part of my life. Not just being a father, but he was like a teammate.” Steve attended games throughout Jason’s early NBA career, travelling to support him on the road. He was present in November 1991 when Jason signed his commitment to the University of California, Berkeley, a moment captured in photographs that show the pride of a father watching his son take his first major step toward greatness.
Family Life in Oakland
Steve and his wife Anne raised their three children, Jason, Kimberly, and Denise, in one of Oakland’s most respected communities. Anne worked as a computer programmer at the Bank of America, and together the couple created a stable, nurturing environment built on strong values. Jason has always credited both parents for giving him the environment he needed to pursue his basketball dreams without distraction.
The family’s life in Oakland placed Jason in a city rich with basketball culture and history. Steve made sure Jason took advantage of every opportunity, enrolling him in the East Oakland Youth Development Center and encouraging him to play on the city courts where competition was fierce and lessons were learned quickly.
His Philosophy: Patience, Discipline, and Giving Back
One of the most lasting lessons Steve imparted to Jason was the value of patience. When Jason spoke to the San Jose Mercury News after finally winning the NBA Championship in 2011, he reflected directly on his father’s teaching: “With my dad, winning a championship was the number one thing. The thing he always told me was you have to be patient.”
Steve also instilled in Jason a sense of responsibility to the community. That ethic lives on through Jason’s charitable work, including the Jason Kidd Scholarship for men’s basketball at the University of California, which he established in 2016. Steve taught his son that success means little unless it is shared.
Steve Kidd’s Passing
In May 1999, just three days after Jason had visited his parents in Oakland and said goodbye, Steve Kidd suffered a fatal heart attack. He was approximately 60 years old. The loss hit Jason profoundly. He later told Sports Illustrated: “My dad’s death made me value things more, knowing God can take things away from you, just like that.”
Steve passed away before he could watch Jason lift the NBA Championship trophy, a moment the two had spoken of for years. Yet those who followed Jason’s career closely noted that he played with renewed purpose and vigour after his father’s death, honouring Steve’s memory through his performances on the court.
Steve Kidd’s Legacy
Steve Kidd’s legacy is woven into every chapter of Jason Kidd’s remarkable career. The discipline, patience, and humility that Jason demonstrated across 19 NBA seasons, 10 All-Star selections, and an NBA Championship in 2011 all trace back to his father’s guidance. When Jason transitioned from player to head coach, first with the Brooklyn Nets, then the Milwaukee Bucks, and later the Dallas Mavericks, he carried his father’s philosophy of leadership and accountability into every role.
Jason has also been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, in 2018 as an individual and in 2025 as a member of the US Olympic Redeem Team. Behind every one of those honours stands the quiet, steady influence of Steve Gregory Kidd, a man who gave his son the tools to become a legend.
Conclusion
Steve Kidd was a businessman, a mentor, and above all, a devoted father. His influence on Jason Kidd went far beyond basketball; it shaped the values, work ethic, and character of a man the entire sporting world came to admire. Though Steve passed away in 1999 before seeing his son reach the pinnacle of the sport, his legacy endures through every achievement Jason has made on and off the court.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Steve Kidd?
Steve Kidd is the father of NBA Hall of Famer Jason Kidd. He was an African-American entrepreneur from San Francisco who founded petroleum and restaurant businesses across Texas and played a central role in nurturing Jason’s basketball career.
Q2: When did Steve Kidd die?
Steve Kidd passed away in May 1999 after suffering a heart attack at approximately 60 years of age, just days after spending time with his son Jason in Oakland.
Q3: What did Steve Kidd do for a living?
Steve Kidd began his career at Trans World Airlines before founding the Jerry Kidd Petroleum Industry and Kidd Jones Inc., a chain of petrol stations and restaurants operating across Texas.
Q4: How did Steve Kidd influence Jason Kidd’s career?
Steve coached Jason in youth basketball, emphasised the importance of fundamentals, patience, and discipline, and attended games throughout Jason’s early NBA career. Jason has credited his father as his primary mentor and role model.
Q5: Did Steve Kidd see Jason Kidd win an NBA Championship?
No. Steve Kidd passed away in 1999, twelve years before Jason won the NBA Championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. However, winning a title was a dream the two had shared for years, and Jason dedicated his career to honouring that goal.
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