Obituary of Alex Kitchens

Alex Shields Kitchens of Monteagle, Tennessee passed away on March 7, 2015. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on September 15th, 1945 to Dr. Sterling Bert Kitchens and Montyne Shields Kitchens from Lafayette, Georgia. From the very beginning, Alex embodied both an adventurous and protective spirit; always willing to stand by his friends should they ever be in serious trouble. He also maintained a playful and some-what mischievous character during his childhood that eventually developed into a joyful sense of humor as he matured. He went fishing regularly throughout his childhood with friends and family. He was eventually introduced to firearms by his mother. He attended Lafayette High school in Lafayette, Georgia where he finished his freshman year before transferring to Barlow School in New York in 1960. Two years later he transferred to Sewanee Military Academy and graduated in 1964. He attended the University of Chattanooga from 1964 to 1965 majoring in Biology, and English. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1966, trained for Force Recon, UDT and Parachuting. Alex served three tours in Vietnam and earned the rank of Sargent E-5. He was awarded a Bronze Star, two other commendations for valor, a Purple Heart, Pistol and Rifle Expert, and numerous other commendations including a letter of recognition from the Commandant of the USMC in 1966. He was honorably discharged in 1970. Alex also became a licensed private pilot and flew his solo in 1969. After his service he studied at Georgia South Western College in Americus, GA in 1970 and Dalton Junior College in Dalton, GA in 1971. In 1969 Paul Alexander Kitchens was born in Parris Island, SC to Alex and his wife, Judy Rinehart Kitchens. In the mid-70s Alex moved to California to work in diving industry. After obtaining his Dive Instructor license he moved to Key Largo, FL. He owned and operated a dive charter boat, The Osprey, in the late 1970s. In 1983 Nicole Alexis Thorn was born in Miami, FL to Alex and his wife, Nancy Thurn Kitchens. Alex qualified for a 500-ton merchant marine license by briefly running crew boats to oil rigs in the Gulf. He then chartered his off shore and back country boats in Key Largo for several years. He was hired to captain larger charter and private yachts, becoming a skilled and successful big game fishing tournament captain. In his final career change as captain of the private fishing yacht the Gun Moll, he caught record-setting billfish and won many international big game fishing tournaments and awards. In 1997 Alex retired from his very successful fishing career, to return home to his roots and be closer to his aging father, Dr. S. B. Kitchens. He and his family moved to Monteagle, TN where he lived a quiet and private life, hunting and fishing when it suited him and reconnected with family and friends. He became a dog owner, and cherished his Labrador retriever companions, Gunnar, Betsy and Scooter. Alex Shields Kitchens is survived by his two children, Paul Alexander Kitchens of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Nicole Alexis Thorn of Portland, Oregon; and by his granddaughter, Sarah Montyne Kitchens, of Calhoun, Georgia; and by many beloved cousins and close friends. The memorial service will take place 12 noon (eastern time) on Saturday, March 14, at First United Methodist Church in Lafayette, Georgia, followed by a reception. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M-12:00 noon at the church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Alex's life. Funeral arrangements are provided by Cumberland funeral home,(931924-2381