Kenneth Wayne Kitchen, age 54, of Plain City, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Dublin Methodist Hospital. Born February 7, 1967 in Logan County, he is the son of the late Jack and Sheila Kitchen.

At the age of 7 he moved to Magnetic Springs Ohio with his parents and his younger sister, Michelle. He grew up near Robinson Farm where he spent summers bailing when he wasn’t playing baseball. Ken attended North Union local schools in Richwood where he spent a few seasons on the basketball and baseball team before graduating in 1984. After high school he enlisted in the US Marine Corp and attended basic training at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. Ken served active duty from Oct. 25, 1985 to Oct. 20, 1989 when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Private First Class.

For the next few years, he wondered about the Carolina’s before deciding to return home in Ohio. He worked for a number of companies such as Frank Gates Service Company as the mail room supervisor and Midwest Express before turning to Lawn Care and eventually taking over First Five Lawn Care. After selling the business he worked a few odd jobs before working for Pioneer Roofing and then most recently as a manager at FedEx.

Ken loved to play pool, playing in many leagues and tournaments throughout the State. He was also an avid outdoors man loving to hunt and fish. He recently returned from a Salmon fishing trip in Michigan with a number of good friends. Loyalty was important to Ken and there was nothing he would not do for friends. He will be missed by many who had the chance to know him.

Preceded in death by his mother, Sheila B. Kitchen on February 9, 2006 and his father, Jackie D. Kitchen on September 12, 2018. Survived by his sister, Michelle (Chris) James of Marion; nephew, Anson James; niece, Ashley James; dear friends, Trina Leach, Brian “Nub”, Marie and Dean McDermott, Bill Holbrook, Jason Shumway, along with aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Monday, November 29, 2021 at Ferguson Funeral Home, 202 E. Main Street, Plain City, OH 43064. A graveside service will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Forest Grove Cemetery 8270 Cemetery Pike, Plain City with Military Honors.

Contributions may be made to the Heart of Ohio Sheila B. Kitchen Memorial Scholarship Fund, Attn: Ralph Miller 15618 Meadowbrook Drive, Marysville, OH 43040.

Visit www.fergusonfuneralhomeinc.com to leave a special memory.