Benjamin F. Kitchens

Benjamin Franklin Kitchens was born in Columbus, Georgia on July 3, 1928, the only survivor of a triplet birth. Another sibling, Joseph Franklin Kitchens, died in infancy. Ben lost both of his parents to tuberculosis at an early age. At age 2, Ben and his sister Margie, age 5, the only surviving children, were placed in separate orphanages. At age14, a friend's mother found him a place to stay with Clara and PL Cliett in Hogansville, GA. He lived with them until graduation from high school in 1946. Clara and PL Cliett became his family and they remained so through out their lives. He also kept in touch with his sister, Margie Simpson, until she died in 1991,

After finishing high school he joined the Army where he learned the telephone trade. He served from July 1946 to December 1952. He was first stationed at Fort Dix, NJ, and then obtained schooling at Fort Monmouth, NJ. He served in Hawaii, before coming to Fort Riley where he completed his military service. Ben continued to proudly serve as a Federal Civil Servant at Fort Riley for 31 years, retiring in 1983 as the dual Director of USA Communications Command Agency and the Staff Director of the Communication and Electronics Activity, Headquarters' Fort Riley. In 1979, his activity was awarded the 7th Signal Command's Best Unit in the Continental United States Award. Ben received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award upon his retirement.

Ben married Catherine Theresa Gates in 1953, and they had four children. Ben is survived by his son, Benjamin C. (Sue) Kitchens, daughter Margie A.(Richard) Pinaire, and son Joseph E. (Sara) Kitchens, all of Junction City. His son, Kevin Kitchens, died in 1979. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Erin Kitchens (Cody) Compton, Benjamin (Courtney) Pinaire, Joseph Pinaire, Emily Pinaire, Kevin Davis-Kitchens, Peyton Kitchens, one great grandchild, Bowden Pinaire, and two step-granddaughters, Brittany and Sydney Mathiot.

In 1988, Ben married Sharon Karmann Price who survives him along with her daughters, Kaylynn (Greg) Johnson, Tammy (Ken) Hane, and Nancy Price, two step-grandsons, Brian and Ethan Johnson, and two step great-granddaughters, Paris and Isabella Souza.

Ben's family and extended family were very important in his life. He was always offering a helping hand whenever and wherever needed. He enjoyed home improvement and repair projects, a hobby that benefited all of his children at one time or another. He was affectionately known as "Papa" to all his grandchildren. Ben was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed bowling with Sharon.

He served as an officer in several positions for the Fort Riley Central Kansas Chapter of Association of the United States Army (AUSA) during the early 70's, to include President of the Chapter. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion with 56 years of continuous membership. He held the position of Legion Commander, Post 45 in 1957 during the construction of the current facility. He was a 46 year member of the Elks, and served in several officer positions in that organization. He was a past president of the Junior Baseball Association in 1965 and coached many little league baseball teams.

A public celebration of his life will take place at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 31, 2011, at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Washington Street. Mr. Kitchens will lie in state 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Reverend Nancy Jacobson will officiate. A private family burial will take place at Highland Cemetery. Mr. Kitchens passed away Sunday, December 25, 2011, at Bonner Springs, Kansas while visiting family for Christmas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ben's memory may be made to the Geary Community Schools Foundation, 123 Eisenhower Drive, Junction City, KS, 66441.