Virgil Kitchen's Obituary
Virgil Kitchen, 101, of Sedalia, entered into paradise on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at his home. Funeral services will be held on Friday March 11, 2016 at 11 AM at Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church. The visitation will be held from 9-11 AM at the church.
Virgil L. Kitchen was born in Sedalia, Missouri on January 16, 1915 to Henry Milton Kitchen and Clara Ruby (Hawkins) Kitchen. He was proud to have been birthed by his Grandmother Alice V. Hawkins and he often said "She sure was a smart lady."
His formal education was attained at Franklin and Lincoln Elementary Schools. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1933. He always spoke highly of his teachers and Professor C.C. Hubbard as being strict, yet fair and they always wanted the best out of his students. At his death, Virgil was the oldest living graduate of the former Lincoln-Hubbard School.
His religious foundation was laid at Taylor Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, now known as Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church, where he has been a faithful member for over 100 years. He was very active in the life of Taylor Chapel serving on various committees and boards. He served for many years as church treasurer, and was the lead decorator of the sanctuary and basement for the 115th church anniversary in 1982. He had a great baritone voice, which could be heard from his favorite seat, the last pew on the right.
As a young man he worked at Rosenthal’s Department Store. Like his father, he also worked at the Missouri Pacific Railroad Shops. On June 30, 1975 he retired from the United States Postal Service.
Mr. Kitchen served his country by joining the United States Army during the start of World War II, and served from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1945.
On June 30, 1946, he married Dorothy Mae Moore. As the Kansas City Call wrote, “it was one of the prettiest and most fashionable weddings of the season.” They were married for 65 wonderful years. He was a devoted and dutiful husband until the death of his beloved wife in 2012. No children were blessed from this marriage; however, they both played positive and life-long roles in the lives of their many nieces and nephews, and other young people in the community.
Mr. Kitchen was a member of the VFW, Postal Workers Union, NAACP, Bowling League and Federal Retirees organization. He enjoyed doing yard work and was a great craftsman. He enjoyed buying scratchers, and going to Las Vegas and Boonville. After retiring, he took up bowling, a sport he truly enjoyed. He continued bowling until the age of 100.
Mr. Kitchen was a true gentleman. He set a great example for his family and everyone he met. He touched the lives of so many people over the last 101 years, leaving his fingerprints of peace, hope and encouragement.
As his health began to fail, he was able to stay in his own home with the help of Benton County Hospice, along with caregivers Gloria, Miranda, Angela, Dana Foster, nieces Carla Kitchen – Halane, Sharon Kitchen and nephew-in-law Ali Halane.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, grandmother, brothers Herbert, Carl and Edgar Kitchen, and one sister Florence Kitchen Gates-Culbertson.
Virgil L. Kitchen is survived by five nieces including Sharon R Kitchen, Barbara Kitchen-Mitchell, Carla Kitchen-Halane, Veverly Williams and Dorothy Harvey. Also surviving are nine nephews including Douglas M. Kitchen, Wayne L Kitchen, Milton L Kitchen, Edgar R Kitchen Jr, Dr. Herbert J Kitchen, Leo Gates, Rodney Gates, Willie Stephenson and Kenneth Stephenson. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of great nieces and nephews and friends, including special friends the Walter and Joyce Foster Family.
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