Donald R. Kitley

Aggie --- class of ‘39

Donald Ralph Kitley, 99, passed away May 18, 2015 at St. David’s Hospital. He was a 60 year resident of Park Blvd., Austin. Don’s family moved from Oklahoma to Bawlf, Alberta Canada, where he was born February 2, 1916. Later the family moved to Eastland, TX, where he graduated high school. He attended Texas A&M University and was first clarinet in the Aggie marching band for 4 years. He graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1939. Drafted into the army in 1941, he transferred into the Army Air Corp in 1942 and attended aviation cadet school at Chanute Field, IL. Upon graduation as 1st Lieutenant Airplane Engineering Officer, he was assigned to the 555th B-26 bomber squadron. His squad landed during the second wave of the invasion at Omaha Beach, and continued on to St. Lo, Caen, and then Paris. The squad supported the campaign at the Battle of the Bugle at Bastone. Near the end of the war Don co-piloted a new A-26 bomber on a mission over Berlin. His decorations included the Distinguished Unit Citation Badge, American Defense Service Medal, and Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars. He worked as a civil engineer in Tyler, Houston, and Austin.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Nita. Survived by children: Michael Kitley, Austin; Ronald (Laura) Kitley, Austin; Jan (Robert) Benbow, CO. Grandchildren: Grant Benbow, Spencer (Jenna) Kitley, Dillon (Jill) Benbow, Larissa (Patrick) Reeve. Great-Grand children: Lily Benbow and Brink Kitley; 9 nieces and nephews.

A Chapel Service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home. The family will receive guests one hour prior to service. Interment will follow in Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery. Please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for online tributes.