Col. Craig Sims Kitchens M.D.

1944 - 2025

Col. Craig Sims Kitchens, M.D. (USAR, Ret), 81, of Hayesville, passed away peacefully in his home on Julie Mountain on Monday, March 24, 2025 surrounded by friends and family and a whole lot of angels.
Dr. Kitchens grew up in Gainesville, Fla. He left to pursue his education at Davidson College, returned to medical school at the University of Florida, internship at Duke University, then residency and fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at Johns Hopkins University. He returned to Gainesville where he raised his family and became an instrumental faculty member and leader at the College of Medicine at the University of Florida as Chief Resident, Vice Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Program Director for Internal Medicine Residency and Chief of Medicine at the Gainesville VAMC. He concentrated his study and career in the highly specialized area of blood clotting disorders. He went on to edit the premier textbook in the area, Consultative Hematology and Thrombosis for several decades. In addition, he was a national leader in treatment of Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake envenomation, contributing substantially to the medical literature. He was privileged to participate in the development and initial clinical trials of Crofab which became a safer alternative to horse serum derived antivenom. He was passionate in the pursuit of education to prevent stroke from atrial fibrillation contributing to the early widespread use of coumadin followed by early education regarding the safer novel anticoagulants. He also served as a national legal expert in cases involving blood clotting issues, consensus panel decisions, pharmaceutical and FDA consultation. He consulted for Florida Cancer Specialists at the end of his career. He served the American College of Physicians at a state and national level and was honored as a Master and Laureate. He was active in the Florida Medical Association at a local and state level. He was inducted into the American Clinical and Climatologic Association honoring physicians who had made significant contributions to the field of medicine. Dr. Kitchens served in the USAR achieving the rank of Colonel leading units in the development of combat support hospitals before retiring after 22 years. He was a patriot through and through and had a great love and respect for our country. Despite these achievements, 'Dr. Craig' would frequently be heard to say the most substantial contribution of his life was to create The Still Place in the Tusquittee Valley. He loved to foster independence and encourage adventure in children with severe or chronic illness beginning with the establishment of a camp for boys with hemophilia in the mid-80s when there were few such experiences. He volunteered at Camp Boggy Creek in Florida for many years. Recently he has enjoyed serving lemonade and tea at the Hayesville United Methodist Church Wednesday evening meals. He loved his life in Hayesville and wanted nothing more than to be on Julie Mountain when he took his last breath. He was granted this last wish. Craig was a devout and humble believer in Christ practicing his faith genuinely and boldly in every aspect of his life. At the age of 70 he walked 500 miles across Spain on the Camino de Compostela as a spiritual pilgrimage. A few years later he hiked Hadrian's Wall in North Umbria. In mid- life he enjoyed biking long distances, kayaking the Ichnetucknee, Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers. He taught so many kids to drive on dirt roads and to safely handle firearms but more importantly he encouraged them to be confident in their aspirations and to never give up on their dreams.
Craig is survived by his wife, Dawn Grinenko, M.D., sons Michael (Sherry) Kitchens, of Gainesville, Fla. and Ted (Nancy) Kitchens of Manchester, N.H. In addition to his two sons, Craig is survived by four grandchildren, Avery and Tori Kitchens (Mike and Sherry) and Mallory and Lillian Kitchens (Ted and Nancy) and his brother, Glenn Kitchens of Tallahassee, Fla.
Craig was predeceased by his parents, John Glenn Kitchens and Kathryn "Kitty" Maulden Kitchens of Gainesville, Fla., sister Kay (Bud) Mizell of Keystone Heights, Fla.
Craig was born on March 20, 1944, in Greenbelt, Md. to John and Kathryn Kitchens and, according to the 8th AGF Regiment bulletin announcing the birth of the Company A Commanding Officer's son. Craig had an abiding love and admiration for both of his parents especially for his father's service in WWII. If you knew Kitchens, he loved a party and was too much for one celebration so stay tuned for local celebrations in Hayesville and Gainesville to celebrate this one-of-a-kind amazing man.
In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to: The Still Place, PO Box 3, Hayesville, N.C. 28904.
Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville: www.iviefuneralhome.com is in charge of all arrangements.