USAF Ret. Col. Grady Eugene "Gene" Kitchens

Grady Eugene “Gene” Kitchens passed away on Sunday, August 21 at his home in Hideaway, Texas. He was born on February 18, 1929, in Oglethorpe, Georgia, to the late Mary Lou Kitchens and Henry Grady Kitchens. Grady shared his life with his wife of 71 years, Audrey Joyce Kitchens. Grady was a decorated war veteran, serving in the Air Force from December 16, 1950, until August 31, 1979. He served a seven-month combat tour flying B-29s during the Korean War and flew 145 combat missions in EC-47s while serving in the Vietnam War. He also served as the Director of Manpower for the Military Airlift Command from June 1973 through December 1975 and as the Vice Commander, Air Force Management Engineering Agency from December 1976 through September 1979. He retired as a “full bird” Colonel and received medals for the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, two Meritorious Service Medals, and eight Air Medals. Grady received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering as an Air Force student at Texas A&M University in 1964. He also earned a Master of Science in Administration from George Washington University while working at the Pentagon from June 1969 through June 1973. After retiring from the Air Force, Grady earned an Associate Degree in Homebuilding at San Antonio College, then worked for the largest independent homebuilder in the United States for about a year before deciding he was more suited to an industry that was more about helping people than making profits. He decided to put the skills he had developed in the Air Force to use helping hospitals provide better service to their patients. He worked 5 years as the Director of Operations Improvement for all 11 hospitals of Harris Methodist Fort Worth and 7 years for the 7 large hospitals run by the Daughters of Charity. After his final retirement in 1994, Grady was an active member of Kiwanis and the First United Methodist Church of Lindale. He volunteered with the Salvation Army, David Powell Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and the Lindale School District. He especially enjoyed his time spent reading with the children. Grady loved to play golf, go fishing, play bridge, and travel with his beloved Audrey. He and Audrey were also known to cut a rug out on the dance floor. Grady was preceded by his siblings: Bob, Lewis, Billie, Laura, Evelyn, and Tommy. His loving memory is carried on by his wife Audrey, brother Ronnie, sons Brad and Greg, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren (all of whom lovingly knew him as Papa), plus a large and loving extended family. Those who knew Grady, knew him as a kind, generous, strong, and honest man. “He didn’t always talk a lot, but when he did, you wanted to listen.” A Celebration of Lives Lived for Audrey and Grady is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday. October 15, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in Lindale. A reception will follow in the Open Door Classroom. Entombment with military honors is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 17, 2022 at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

USAF Ret. Col. Grady Eugene "Gene" Kitchens

February 18, 1929 - August 21, 2022