John Michael Kitto

John was born in Austin on July 3, 1967, graduated from McCallum High School where he played on the tennis team, and attended Texas A&M. He was a catering chef in Austin, as well as other locations in the US and internationally. John served thousands of people over his career and connected with folks from all walks of life, trading stories with everyone he met. He could create delicious meals with any ingredients from humble to refined, under any conditions. His signature dish was crawfish étouffée.

John was in his element outdoors and on the lake, where he worked for years with a riverboat cruise company. He also loved surfing, sometimes serving as a surf camp chef and occasionally as an assistant instructor. A thoughtful and wide-ranging reader, he took joy in devouring new books and recommending them to others. He was a movie buff as well, having extraordinary recall of actors, directors and plots of long forgotten movies.

John was a happy grasshopper in a family of ants. He loved travel, adventure, conversation, and making people smile. Above all else, John loved his daughter Maia.

He is survived by daughter Maia, father Dr. Barrie Kitto, mother Binnie Kitto, brother David Kitto, sister Robyn Matthews, nieces Claire Matthews and Katie Matthews, and close friend Joya Holden.

No services will be held; the family welcomes messages and memories in the online guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Austin Humane Society or Hospice Austin.