James "Jim" Kitchell
Marriages
Mary Ellen Phelps
Martha Marie Summers
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7B Obituary - April 15, 2017
James "Jim" Wallace
Kitchell passed away
peacefully in Montrose,
Colorado on April 10,
surrounded by loved ones.
He was born on April 8,
1927, in Manhattan, New
York to Charles Kitchell,
voice teacher, and Alma
Hopkins Kitchell, professional
concert singer and the first
female national radio show host.
Jim was a pioneer in television broadcasting from 1956 to
1995. He started with NBC news in New York, serving in
several Producer/Director positions including: The Huntley-
Brinkley Report; live news coverage of NASA space missions
from 1956 - 1975; all national political campaigns, conventions,
and elections from 1952-1975; events surrounding John F.
Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert F. Kennedy; several
summer and winter Olympics; and President Nixon’s historic
trip to China.
In 1979 he was recruited by Ted Turner to be Vice President of
Operations for the Cable News Network (CNN) in Atlanta,
Georgia where he led the design, development, construction,
and production implementation of the world’s first 24 hour news
cable service. At Turner Broadcasting, Jim later served as Vice
President for Operations and Administration of Superstation
WTBS which delivered television cable service to 75 million
households. He also led other special assignments with TBS
related to covering national political campaigns and elections,
the Goodwill Games with Russia, and Olympic broadcast
coverage.
Jim received many awards for his accomplishments, most
notably two National EMMY awards, one as Executive
Producer for television coverage of the first manned moon
landing and another for Technical Innovation associated with
the Goodwill Games. He was also individually nominated for
six national television academy awards.
Jim moved permanently to Montrose in 2003 where he became
an active community member through Rotary, the Montrose
Community Foundation Board, and HopeWest.
He is preceded in death by his older brother, Charles Kitchell;
first wife, Mary Ellen Phelps Kitchell, and second wife, Martha
Marie Summers Kitchell. He is survived by three daughters,
Marilyn Kitchell of Buena Vista; Pat Kitchell Landrum (Nick
Landrum) of Denver, and Kate Kitchell (Michael Eldred) of
Bayfield, Wisconsin, and two granddaughters, Samara Bridwell
and Rhea Bridwell of Denver. As a loving and supportive
family man, Jim gave his children and grandchildren happy,
secure, and productive lives.
Jim was kind and generous, with a deep love of nature and a
strong commitment to making the world a better place through
community service. He was known as a man who set and
accomplished his goals on his own terms...even as he left this
world with dignity. He has forever touched our hearts and lives.
Donations may be made to HopeWest in memory of Jim
Kitchell. Please send cards c/o Marilyn Kitchell at 1925 Sunrise
Dr. Unit A in Montrose, 81401.
Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose is handling arrangements:
http://crippinfuneralhome.com/obituaries/.
Because Jim joyously celebrated his 90th birthday with family
and friends on Saturday April 8th, the family will host a simple
reception on Sunday April 23rd from 2 - 4:00 p.m. at Brookdale
at Sunrise Creek in Montrose.
