Earl Kitchen

Earl William Kitchen, 87 currently of Wimberley, Texas passed away Saturday, February 28, 2026, following a long battle with congestive heart failure and acute encephalopathy. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1963 with his master's degree in Geological Engineering and worked for Shell Oil Company as a new graduate and until his second retirement in approximately 2004.He and his wife, Rilla J Harlin Kitchen were members of the Wimberley Birding Society and enjoyed many domestic and international journeys with the birding club and personally. They were also active members of the Wimberley United Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl W and Eleanor Kitchen and his wife, Rilla Kitchen who he met at NW Classen High School in Oklahoma City and married on December 27, 1960. He is also survived by his three children, Kari Kitchen, Kraig Kitchen, his daughter Avry, his wife Jenny, and her children, Kristin Myers, her husband Anthony, and their four children, Emily, Hope, Caleb, Faith, her husband Dakota Surratt and their children, Cohen Hays and Everett Tate. In addition, he is survived by his brother, Bill Kitchen, his wife Darla, and their two daughters, Jenny Ridgeway, her husband Chris, and their children; and Victoria DeFeo, her husband Nick, and their daughter; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.A memorial visitation and social will be held Saturday, March 14th from 1:00-4:00pm at Lux Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Texas followed by a dinner in a local restaurant; all are invited. Location to be announced in subsequent communications.A graveside memorial will be held at Mustang Cemetery on S Mustang Rd in Mustang, Oklahoma on April 18, 2026 when he will be laid to rest with Rilla Harlin Kitchen, his wife of 61 years. A dinner will be hosted in a local restaurant in the Mustang area following; all are invited. Location to be announced in subsequent communications.Remembrance donations would be welcome to the The Hope and Recovery Foundation for Individuals with Neurological Injury or Illness at hrfneuro.org.