Gerald Kitchens

Gerald Kitchens, age 82 of Gatesville, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at his home.

Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Restland Cemetery with Minister Deral McWhorter officiating.   The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Scott’s Funeral Home.

Gerald Dean Kitchens was born on April 19, 1941 to the late Irvin and Myrtle Kellogg Kitchens at their home on what is now part of the Fort Cavazos military reservation.  He grew up in Levita, attending school in Jonesboro, graduating from Jonesboro High School in 1959. Gerald enlisted in the United States Army in March of 1960 and soon after transitioned to the Texas Army National Guard.  He went to work for William Cameron Lumber Company and later became the manager as the company changed ownership, becoming the National Building Center Lumber Company.   On February 23, 1970, he married Bonnie Cohagan and the two made their home in Gatesville.  Gerald went to work for the State School for boys in security, working with the horses and tracking dogs.  He was later hired as a deputy sheriff under Sheriff Windy Cummings.  In 1984, he was elected Coryell County Sheriff, serving four terms until 2000.  After leaving the sheriff’s department, he worked in Sanitation for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for two years before ultimately retiring in 2003. 

Gerald was a lifelong farmer and rancher, working alongside his parents for many years.  He enjoyed the cattle business as well as the fellowship that he found while working with other ranchers.  He was a very loving son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  

Gerald is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bonnie Kitchens; children, Leisa Bland, Deana Stewart and husband, Doug, Angela Rivera and husband, Sonny, James Kitchens and wife, Suchita, and Michelle Washburn and husband, Tim McKenzie; grandchildren, Amy Box and husband, Heath, Alisha Minor and husband, Buck, Amanda Lay, Shane Lynch and wife, Tambra, Brad Lynch and wife, Stacey, Brandon Stewart and wife, Karen, Brittany White and husband, Keith, Justin Washburn, Ashton Bray, Haley Bray, and Chelsea Cornelison; 26 great grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren.