James Edward Kitson

Jim was born April 4,1959 in a hotel room in Oklahoma City. His parents, Lewis and Arlene Kitson, Grandmother Davis, and their three children were residing there, while Lewis attended Federal Aviation training in Mustang, Oklahoma. James’ birth was attended by his grandmother and father. The ambulance arrived in time to cut his umbilical cord.

Lewis was a civilian contractor technician for the U.S. Air Force. As such, the family moved every two or three years. James lived in Oklahoma City, Guam, Michigan, Oklahoma City (again), Virginia on the outskirts of Washington D.C., Maryland, New York and finally Peculiar, Missouri. Lewis and Arlene raised all eight children in Peculiar and lived in the same home for the remainder of their lives.

James attended the First Baptist Church of Peculiar in high school and became a born-again Christian. Jim graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in May,1977. After a year, he made the decision to join the U.S. Coast Guard. Once he completed boot camp, he was stationed on Attu Island in the Aleutians—the furthermost point to Russia. James was trained as an Electronic Technician. After one year there, Jim was stationed in Detroit near Windsor, Canada.

In December 1979, James married his high-school sweetheart, Marilyn Fay Kincade. The couple lived briefly in Detroit and were then transferred to an idyllic small town, Tawas City, Michigan. They would remain there until Jim’s 4-year stint was complete. Jim was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer First Class in early 1982.

Jim and Marilyn moved near their hometown and lived there four years. Jim worked for RyCom Electronics during this time and attended UMKC for one year. In 1984 Jim was hired by the FAA as an Electronic Technician. Jim worked for the FAA until his retirement in Spring 2024. He underwent much training and travel. One of his sons stated, “he was gone a lot, but when he came back, he brought presents!” The FAA sent the family to St. Louis, Columbus, Nebraska, and finally Kansas City, Missouri. He was considered one of the best electronic technicians in the Midwest and worked 40 years for the FAA.

Jim was known as Mr. Fix-It at his home. He could do car and home repair, as well as many other helpful tasks. When their sons were in high school and college, James and Marilyn held positions in church teaching small children. He enjoyed this very much. James was a voracious reader of Science Fiction and loved documentaries about World War II. Jim loved ship and airplane models and was always listening to Classic Rock. In the last few years of his life, he enjoyed having his dogs, Bandit and Zeus. They were his constant companions and much spoiled.

James is survived by his sons: Nathaniel Luke Kitson (Carol) and their children, Aria and Ezra. His other son is Jonathan Paul Kitson (Trisha), whose child is Morgan. Jim is also survived by all seven of his siblings: Glenda Kitson, Geri Hammack (Marc), Gale Garten (Mark), Michael Kitson (Linda), Georgia Cambridge (Derek), Ginger Kitson, and Steve Kitson (Nancy). He has many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Edward and Arlene Ann.