The Norman Transcript
December 4, 2006
Edward C. Kitchens of Norman died Saturday, Dec. 2 in Norman. Services are pending with Guardian Norman Funeral Home.
The Norman Transcript
December 4, 2006
Edward C. Kitchens of Norman died Saturday, Dec. 2 in Norman. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Norman. Services are under the direction of Guardian Norman Funeral Home.
Mr. Kitchens was born on Sept. 19, 1923 in Caddo to Walter J. and Nora E. Kitchens. Following his high school graduation from Kenefic High School, he attended Southwestern State University in Durant, from 1941-43.
Mr. Kitchens was sworn into the military Dec. 12, 1942, and inducted into World War II May 8, 1943. He served with the 26th Infantry Division in Europe with General George Patton, 3rd Army. He was cited with four battle stars including the Battle of the Bulge while engaged in 210 days of combat in the countries of France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia, and Austria. He received an honorable discharge from the military service at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas Jan. 10, 1946.
Upon his return home from military service, Mr. Kitchens married Frances Imogene Nunn, of Caddo, March 9, 1946. He enrolled in Oklahoma State University where he received a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Science degree in Vocational Education.
Following graduation, Mr. Kitchens was employed by Davenport Public Schools to teach Vocational Agriculture. He taught for 16 years from 1948 to 1964. From 1964-1969, he taught Vocational Agriculture at Norman Public Schools. He then accepted a position with the State Department of Vocational-Technical Education to serve as Director of the Manpower Training Skill Center in Tulsa.
After working for one year in Tulsa, Mr. Kitchens returned to Norman as the Director of the Norman School Food Service Program. He retired on Jan. 1, 1988 after seventeen years. During this time, he served as president of the Oklahoma State Food Service Association for two years. After his retirement he served as president of the Cleveland-McClain Counties Retired Teachers Association. Mr. Kitchens has been a member of First Baptist Church since 1988.
Mr. Kitchens is survived by his wife Dorothy J. Kitchens; daughter Rhonda J. and husband Raymond Lee Morgan; daughter RaDonna and husband Michael R. Booker; stepson James and wife Jeanette Smart; seven grandchildren Kyle Edward and Kara Nicole Barton, Chad Christian and Alicia Joy Morgan, Lauren Frances, Allison June and Reese Edward Booker; sister and brother-in-law Wanda and J. A. Hale of Plano, Texas and sister and brother-in-law Betty and Johnny McMichael of Caddo. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Mr. Kitchens was preceded in death by his parents, first wife of 42 years, Frances I. Kitchens and brother Robert J. Kitchens.
Mr. Kitchens was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and he was proud to have had the opportunity to see his name on the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., family said.
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