Mintford Lamar Kitchens Sr — loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend — passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at his home in Chapin, SC. He was 90.

Mintford "Mel" was born on October 6, 1934 in Avera, GA to the late Isaac and Christine Kitchens. He shared 63 wonderful years married to the late Patricia Ann Kitchens "Ann" the love of his life. At age 9 he began his first job delivering newspapers on his bicycle. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served four years as a mechanic on B-47 and B-52 bombers. Mel was proud to have done his duty to help defend the freedom of our great country.

After his service in the USAF, Mel went on to have a 33-year career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, where he worked on jet engines, rocket engines, Space Shuttle engines, and five years on the Airborne Laser Laboratory program at Kirtland AFB, in New Mexico. After retiring, he enjoyed a life of leisure with his loving wife and best friend, Ann.

Mel was a great man who showed his love, genuine care and attention to his family and friends through acts of service. Whether it was caring for his wife Ann fighting a long cancer battle, working on cars, big or small handyman projects, attending graduations or sporting events, he did them all with great pride.

Mel is survived by his children, Kathy Ann Kitchens of Chapin, SC; Deborah Kay Kitchens of Chapin, SC; Kimberly Dawn Mulkin (Richard) of Tolland CT; and Mintford Lamar Kitchens, Jr. (Kimberly) of Prosperity, SC.; grandchildren, Joshua (Kristy), Ashlee (Tony), Matthew (Roni), Michael, Mintford III, Justin and Eric; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Madisyn, Adalee, Brantley, Raylee, Jayce, Blakely, Jameson, Aleia, Baylor and Hadley; sister, Myrna Redwine; brother Dinton (Faerl) Kitchens; and many other cherished family members.

The family invites you to visit with them on Friday, November 1 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Chapin, SC.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 2 in the Woodridge Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel in Lexington, SC.

Memories and messages of condolence may be shared with the family here on his Tribute Wall.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kitchens family.