Thomas (Tom) Cleve Kitchen Thomas (Tom) Cleve Kitchen, 88, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. He was born Nov. 13, 1931, in Balsam Grove at the Kitchen home place to the late Reginald and Stella Owen Kitchen. He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 60 years, Dorothy (Dot) L. Kitchen; a daughter, Sandra Groves; and a grandson, Thomas Chad Kitchen, both of Brevard. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Jeter Kitchen and wife, Myrtle, Edward Kitchen and wife, Vivian, Randal Kitchen and wife Hazel, James Kitchen and wife, Hazel, Junior Kitchen and wife, Mabel; and several nieces and nephews. He worked over 30 years at American Thread, often seven days a week to provide for his family. He took pride in his work, where he was certified by the state in wastewater treatment, as well as air condition systems and refrigeration that he took care of at the Thread Plant. He enjoyed his job and the people he worked with. He took extra pride in caring for his wife, whom he called his “sweet thang,” until she passed. He loved to mow his yard and keep it neat and clean. He also loved to cook where he took special joy telling everyone about his favorite recipes like Strawberry Punch Bowl Cake, Minute Cookies, Salisbury steak, red skin potato salad and macaroni and cheese casserole. He was a special dad, papaw, and great-papaw, who loved to tell a joke and laugh with his family and tell stories about growing up here in Transylvania County. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by one son, Thomas A. Kitchen and wife, Nina; one daughter, Cleeta Kitchen, and Jim Groves, husband of the late Sandra Groves; one brother, Joby (Joe) Kitchen and late wife, Thelma; and one sister, Donna Vee McCoy and late husband, Jack; grandchildren, Heather (Andy) Scott, Sherry (Jason) Pressley, Crystal (Wesley) Anders, Shane (Amber) Fisher, Andrea Fisher; and numerous great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2020 at Moody-Connolly Chapel, followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory in Pisgah Forest. Moody-Connolly is in charge of arrangements.