Thomas Oliver Kite

Thomas Oliver Kite Thomas Oliver Kite passed away February 18, 2010 at the age of 93. He was born September 21, 1916 to Lacy H. and Delia Kite. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mauryene S. Kite, and children, Tom Kite Jr. and his wife Christy, and Karen Pittinger and her husband Ed. His grandchildren include Stephanie Kite, David Kite and his wife Hunter, Paul Kite, Dana Ellis and her husband Mark, Laura Pittinger and Carlye Pittinger. His great-grandchildren include Nick Ellis, Ben Ellis and Will Ellis. Born in Princeton, Texas, he attended Abilene Christian College and upon completion of school he started working for the Internal Revenue Service in 1940. World War II erupted and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1942, eventually serving 4 years. Tom was commissioned in 1943 and was assigned to the USS Bladen, APA63 where he became gunnery officer. Among the battles he participated in on the USS Bladen were the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. After his discharge he returned to Texas and resumed working for the IRS. For the next 18 years he was based in the District Office in Dallas. When the new IRS Service Center opened in Austin in 1963, he assumed the position of Assistant Director and shortly thereafter became the Director of the Service Center until his retirement in 1974. After retiring from the IRS, Tom spent the majority of his time managing his various business interests including the stock market and real estate investments, as well as playing and watching golf with his numerous friends. He also was a partner and manager of many of his son and daughter's business interests. Tom and his wife Mauryene have been active members of the Hyde Park Christian Church since 1964. They served as joint Presidents of the Fellowship Class and Tom served as Trustee of the Permanent Endowment Fund. Memorial Services will be conducted at Cook-Walden Funeral Home at 6100 North Lamar on Monday, February 22, 2010. And in keeping with Tom's desire to never be late for an appointment, services will start PROMPTLY at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Odyssey Hospice Healthcare of Austin, 4201 W. Parmer Lane, Building C, Austin Texas 78727 or Hyde Park Christian Church, 610 East 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78751.