Clyde Curtis Kitchens
In Memory Of Clyde Curtis Kitchens
Clyde Curtis Kitchens, age 89, of Red Oak, Oklahoma passed from this earth, Tuesday, January 30, 2018 in Antlers, Oklahoma.
Clyde was born in Leflore, Oklahoma on October 14, 1928, a son of the late Laura Beatrice (Abernathy) and Thomas Fred Kitchens.
Clyde grew up in Leflore, Oklahoma in a large family of nine boys and one sister. He graduated from Leflore High School, attended Eastern Oklahoma State College, and graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1949. He continued his education in California, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State Universities and completed his Masters degree from SOSU. He was a proud Southeastern alumnus and always wore his Savage Blue and Gold.
Clyde was a longtime educator who began his career in 1949 in Red Oak, Oklahoma as Junior High principal and basketball coach. He worked under the mentorship of E. T. Dunlap and Charles Collins and worked with many fine educators across the state. He was principal and Red Oak girls coach until 1974, before becoming Superintendent at Panola, Oklahoma and then Crowder Public Schools. He continued his service to public education as an Accreditation Officer for the State Department of Education, retiring in 1986, ending a thirty-six year career. He was actively involved in his community and was a Sunday school teacher and member of the First Baptist Church, Red Oak. He served as an Assistant Scout leader, was a member of the local Lions Club, Latimer County Sportsmens Club, and many professional education organizations. He was a member of the Latimer County Excise Board and through the years had served on several state advisory boards. He was a Red Oak City Trustee and worked to see the development of the city water and sewer systems, volunteer fire department, City clinic, City Library, and Community Center.
Clyde loved family reunions and family history. He spent many years crawling through courthouses and libraries all across the country in search of the family roots. Family history was his passion and sharing his discoveries at family reunions was his joy. The Kitchens Family Reunion was one of his favorite days of the year. He loved seeing his family.
Clyde was the husband of Beulah Mae (Muse) Kitchens. On May 23, 1951, they were married at Red Oak, Oklahoma.
Clyde is survived by:
Wife: Beulah Mae Muse Kitchens, of Red Oak, Oklahoma.
Daughters/Sons-In-Law: Juanita & Robert Tucker, of Antlers, Oklahoma; Joquita & Ed Klink, of Krebs, Oklahoma.
Sons/Daughters-In-Law: Curtis & Renee Kitchens, of Durant, Oklahoma; Edward & Destini Kitchens, of Red Oak, Oklahoma.
Sister: Mary Alice Christine McElroy, of Wenatchie, Washington.
Brothers: Kenneth Edward Kitchens, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; Carrol Martin Kitchens, of Newport News, Virginia.
Clyde was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Fred Kitchens and Laura Beatrice Abernathy Kitchens, brothers William Coleman Kitchens, Thomas Fred Kitchens, Jr., Charles Dawes Kitchens, Neil Rogers Kitchens, Johnny Glenn Kitchens, James Douglas Kitchens, daughter Jacqueline Kitchens Rainwater, and grandson Garrett Pahlon.
He is also survived by Grandchildren: Misty Tucker Parrington, Jennifer Tucker Brame, Ashley Klink Eckert, Jason Klink, Ty C. Kitchens, Kyle C. Kitchens, Kacie Kitchens Coffey, Kourtney Kitchens Montgomery, Colton Potter, Bradon Potter, Bryar Potter and numerous Great Grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many cousins and friends.
Service at First Baptist Church, Red Oak, Oklahoma, at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2, 2018 with Rev. Johnny Montgomery officiating. Interment to follow at the Red Oak Cemetery, Red, Oak, OK.
Pallbearers: Kyle Kitchens, Ty Kitchens, Jason Klink, Robert Tucker, Ed Klink, Calvin Rainwater.Honorary Pallbearers: Grandchildren.
SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF WALDROP FUNERAL HOME, WILBURTON, OKLAHOMA.