ANDY DON KITCHENS

Andy Don Kitchens passed peacefully from this world, surrounded by his loving family, into the presence of his Savior on Monday, May 4, 2026, after a year-long battle with glioblastoma. He faced his illness with unflinching optimism and uncomplaining bravery, a quiet courage that was entirely in keeping with the man he had always been.

A Life Well Lived

Andy entered this world on October 7, 1952 in Amherst, Texas. His childhood years were spent in Fort Worth and Levelland. Although a Texan through and through Andy, like his merchant marine father, left the dusty plains of west Texas and went to sea. Andy joined the U.S. Navy, where he served with distinction as a nuclear engineer aboard the USS Parche (SSN-683), a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine sailing in the Pacific. He later shared his expertise by teaching nuclear reactor operations to young sailors in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It was the Navy that gave Andy his respect for precision and a love of order, tidy haircuts, and sheets tucked in so tight you needed a crowbar to crawl in bed.

After leaving the Navy, Andy went on to a career in building automation and control systems which brought him back to Fort Worth—the city he loved best. He worked at McKinstry, where he gave himself fully to his work and the people around him. Andy had no plans to retire when he was diagnosed with the cancer that took his life. He loved his work and the people he worked with.

Faith and Family

Andy gave his life to Christ at the age of 27 after reading the book of Matthew while visiting his brother. Andy pursued Christ from that moment on, living a life of quiet behind the scenes service. He had a rare gift for noticing what others needed and meeting those needs without fanfare or desire for recognition. It was this same spirit of humble service that led him to volunteer work at his church, and it was there that his well-crafted bachelorhood came to a happy end when he met his future wife, Susan.

Andy and Susan built a life together filled with faith, fellowship and deep contentment. Andy valued service to God, enjoyment of home, love of his family, worship with his church, fellowship with friends, companionship with his dogs and long hot summers by the pool where he loved to garden and cook out.

After their nest was emptied, Andy loved exploring the west with Susan and their loveable Labradors, long weekends in the mountains of Watson, Oklahoma, and tending his vegetable garden and flower beds. Many family, friends and neighbors will miss his abundant summer-long shared garden harvests of squashes, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and onions he generously delivered bursting from no fuss grocery bags.

The Man He Was

Those who knew Andy will remember a man of deep wisdom, humility, diligence, and extraordinary kindness. He was a listener and an observer, someone who paid attention to the people around him and cared deeply about them and their wellbeing. He preferred to work in the background, to encourage without calling attention to himself, to serve without keeping score. He was, in every quiet and unassuming way, a remarkable man.

He was also the proud owner of a deeply unfortunate collection of silly jokes and eye-roll-inducing puns, which he deployed with great enthusiasm and absolutely no apology. He has left this valued collection to his stepson with strict instructions to carry on the family tradition.

Those Who Mourn Him

Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Mary (née Yates) and Charlie Kitchens; his brothers-in-law, Danny O’Neil and Tommy Keene; his stepson, Joshua Scott Hedges; nephews, Winston Payne and Barrett Payne.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Susan; stepson Michael Hedges and Michael’s husband, Ryan Kite-Hedges; beloved granddaughter, Tennessee Kite-Hedges; sisters Molly Keene of Lubbock and Janey O’Neil of Fort Worth; and brother Ted Kitchens and his wife Lynn of Aledo; and nieces and nephews: Shawn Fine, Sherry O’Neil, Heath Keene, Justin Keene, Andrew Scott, Alexander Scott, Jane Morgan Hobart, Will Scott, Kassie Moore, and Tyler Kitchens.

With Gratitude

The family would like to thank those that kept our lives going in the past year, particularly Kelly Sterling and Dave and Vicky Stringer. Thank you to all the medical professionals at Harris hospital, especially Jason Disney, M.D., Adrian Harvey, M.D. and his PA, Holly; the doctors and staff at Texas Oncology, including Sanjay Oommen, M.D., Mani Akhtari, M.D.; and all at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital for their compassion and amazing work every day to end cancer.

Services

Family and friends will gather from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday, May 13, in the Great Room at Harper & Lucas, formerly Robertson Mueller Harper. A Celebration of His Life will be held at 10 am Thursday, May 14, at Christ Chapel Bible Church, 3701 Birchman Avenue. Military Honors will be given at 3:00 pm Thursday, May 14, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.