Dr. K was born in Port Arthur, Texas to Lettie Louise Lester Kitchen and John G. Kitchen (football coach at Austin High, 1947-1954). Schooling was Rosedale Elementary, Baker Jr. High, McCallum High (1st Year it opened), Arlington Heights High, Ft. Worth, Oklahoma State University, and University of Houston College of Optometry. Lester began practicing two years in Lubbock, Texas and then two years in the U.S. Air Force in Aurora, Colorado before returning to Austin to practice Optometry for 52 years.
He is survived by his ever caring wife Carol, son Brian Kitchen and wife Peaches, daughter Elizabeth Dina, grandsons Nick and Cameron Dina, grand daughter Hilary Chapa and her husband Steve, sister Linda Fogle and her family, Kris Sullivan and his wife Melinda and their children Kyle and Rose.
In 1951 he was blessed to pitch for the Little League World Series Championship Game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; unfortunately the team lost 3-0.
He was a member of the Delwood Optimist Club for many years; he coached Little League Baseball for several years and was Club President 2 1/2 terms and also served as Lt. Governor.
Dr. Kitchen was also a member of the Central Texas Optometric Association serving two terms as its President and was a Life Member of the Texas Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association.
He enjoyed fishing from his bass boat, hunting, and golf.
He wants to thank the Lord, St. Davids Hospital, and his wife for surviving an aortal aneurysm rupture in 2015 that let him enjoy life and practice a few more years.
Dr. Kitchen wants to thank his staff for their devotion to the practice and their excellent patient care and to his faithful patients, many of whom were with him 50+ years.
A visitation will be held at 3:00 PM on July 10, 2021 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on July 11, 2021 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin.
A graveside service will be held at 12:30 PM on July 11, 2021 at La Grange City Cemetery, 100-198 N. College St., La Grange, with reception to follow at the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center at 250 W Fair Grounds Rd, La Grange, TX 78945.
