Eldon “Sam” Edward Kitchen, 98, of Fayetteville, passed away on May 5, 2024.
Sam was born April 5, 1926 in Waukegan, Illinois to the late Eldon L. Kitchen and Marie E. Young Kitchen.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, fighting in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He retired as a colonel after 30 years of service. Sam received numerous awards and medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, eight Air Medals, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
After retirement, he engaged in hotel management. He was a member of the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends at the Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home on Thursday from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m., followed by a service in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. Interment with military honors will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park Mausoleum.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Peggy Marie Kitchen; sons, Monte Hall and Edward Riggs;and his son-in-law, Jim Williamson.
He is survived by his son, Darryl Kitchen; daughters, Terry Hall Williamson, Dennis Hall and husband Wayne Sherrill, Tina Hall Eddy and husband Terry, Deborah Prelio and her husband Tom; daughter-in-law, Nellie Riggs; 11 grandchildren. and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com.
Posted online on May 6, 2024
Published in the Fayetteville Observer
