Louis Brus Vidal, Jr. was born in Pueblo, CO, on November 7, 1940 to Louis B. & Elizabeth Lucille Horan Vidal. In 1945, the family moved to Rapid City, SD, when Lou’s father became managing partner of Black Hills Oldsmobile-Cadillac-GMC. In 1952, Lou Sr. became sole owner of the dealership. 

Lou Jr. attended Cathedral Grade & High school from which he graduated in 1959. In high school, Lou lettered in all four years in both football & basketball and was All-Conference & All-State in both sports. In his senior year he quarterbacked his team to an undefeated season and the #1 ranking in eight-man football in SD. In basketball he helped guide his team to the conference championship and was selected “Ace of the Week” at the guard position by SoDak Sports Magazine. Lou was selected to Boys State in his junior year at Cathedral and in his senior year was elected Homecoming King and student body President. Following graduation in 1959, Lou attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he majored in Health, Physical Education and Recreation with a minor in Business Administration. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity where he held several offices. He was the leading scorer on the basketball team that won the intermural championship his senior year at Wyoming. In his junior year he tied the course record on the Laramie Country Club Golf Course and led his fraternity golf team to the intermural championship. Lou was recruited to join the UW golf team in his senior year and received his letter jacket as a cowboy golfer. He was a member of the Air Force ROTC. 

Following college, Lou attended General Motors Institute in Flint, MI, where he graduated from dealership management school in 1964 and then joined his dad at Black Hills Oldsmobile-Cadillac-GMC as Sales Manager. In 1968, Lou married Judith Ann Lowder from Broken Bow, NE. To the union were born 2 sons, Brus Edward Vidal & Matthew Graham Vidal. In 1981, Lou married Mary Constance “Connie” Herndon in Rapid City and became stepfather to Connie’s three children, Constance Angela Jonson, Karen Suzanne Glover & Donald A. Herndon, Jr. 

After the sale of the dealership, Lou remained as Sales Manager for the next 23 years. He then joined the Fouth family at Courtesy Lincoln-Mercury-Subaru. Following 10 years at Courtesy, Lou took a sabbatical from the car business and was hired by Stec’s Advertising Specialties & Safety Awards to sell Safety Incentive Award Programs. Lou subsequently rejoined Courtesy Subaru where he finished his 42-year working career in Rapid City. He was very grateful for the kindness and generosity afforded him by the Fouth family, especially in 2007 when he suffered a serious illness. 

Following his illness, Lou & Connie moved to Sarasota, FL, to be near family to enjoy their grandchildren and their retirement years. Throughout his professional career, Lou was involved in several civic organizations. He was chairman of the Military Affairs Committee and Honorary Inspector for the United States Air Force Thunderbird Demonstration Team at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and served on the Boards of the Rapid City Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hospitality Association, Boys Club, Alano Society and Friendship House, and the Black Hills Badlands & Lakes Association. In Rapid City he was also a founding member of the Chamber of Commerce Officials Group, and Chairman of the Jaycee Junior Golf Program. 

Lou’s proudest accomplishment was his 38 years of remaining sober one day at a time, “Through the Grace of God & the love & fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous,” and the ability to give away what he had received to help others suffering from addition. 

Lou loved his family and friends. In the later years of his life, his pride and joy were his grandkids from his sons – Coral, Remy, and Axel – from his stepchildren – Cory, Charity, Raymond, Reoh, Sam, and Lily – and his great grandkids: Gracie, Maddin, Colton, Maiev, and Rowan. 

Lou is survived by his wife, Connie, his children, stepchildren, grandkids and great grandkids: Brus, Sheila, and Coral; Matt, Ellen, Remy, and Axel; Angie, Joel, and Charity; Karen, Raymond, Reoh, Mike, Maiev, and Rowan; Donnie, Julie, Sam and Lily. Burial of remains will be at the family plot in Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, SD. A celebration of Lou’s life will be held on Weds, December 11th at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, Rapid City, at 9am.