Ivins, Utah - Capt. Kenneth E. Kittock, USN (Ret) passed away from natural causes on January 24, 2013 in Ivins, Utah. He was born August 16, 1937 in Ogden, Utah to Edward Kittock of Deer Lodge, Montana and LaVerne Hecox of Pocatello, Idaho.

Ken graduated from Ogden High School (class of '55) and went on to study at the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Science on an NROTC scholarship. On September 14, 1960, he married his sweetheart, Patricia Mae Harrington, also of Ogden. After graduation from The U, Ken was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. With his new bride, he traveled to Athens, Georgia to attend the US Navy Supply Corps School.

Ken had a distinguished 29-year career in the Navy, ultimately attaining the rank of Captain. At sea, he served aboard the USS Frontier (AD-25), out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and the USS Detroit (AOE-4), out of Norfolk, Virginia. Ashore, he served at several locations, including Lake Mead Base (Nevada); Naval Station Newport (Rhode Island); Naval Supply Center Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), where he was the Commanding Officer; and the Naval Supply Systems Command (Virginia), where he was the Deputy Commander for Inventory and Information Systems Development. Along the way, Ken earned a Master of Science in Computer System Management from the Naval Postgraduate School (Monterey, California) and attended the National War College (Washington, D.C.).

While still in the Navy, Ken served on the board of directors of Navy Federal Credit Union, in Vienna, Virginia; he was keenly interested in using technology to make financial services more readily available to his fellow sailors around the globe. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1989, Ken started an 11-year second career as an executive at Navy Federal, where he was the Executive Vice President of Information Systems. Ken led the change to a new generation of information systems and managed the credit union's Y2K transition. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the PLUS System, Inc. and was a director of the Armed Forces Financial Network (AFFN).

After Ken retired for the second time in December, 2000, he and Pat returned to their home state of Utah, opting for the mild climate and beautiful scenery of St. George. Unable to ever fully retire, Ken started a consulting business with associates from financial services company SARMA in San Antonio, Texas. However, he also found time to return to favorite outdoor pastimes of his youth. Ken led a popular hiking class for the Institute for Continued Learning (ICL) at Dixie College, became a fixture in the local jeeping community, and skied every winter at Brian Head. His long-standing interest in history led him to become an archaeological site steward for the BLM. Ken and Pat also traveled extensively; they especially loved ocean and river cruises.

Ken was a loving father, devoted spouse, and true friend to many in the community. He is survived by his wife Pat; children James (Leslie) of Menlo Park, California and Chadsey (Peter Volpe) of Chicago, Illinois; grandson Milo of Menlo Park, California; siblings Kathleen Roylance (Bob) of Swansea, Illinois, brother John (Jean) of Truckee, California, and Nancy Oswald (Bob) of Gaston, Oregon. Ken will be sorely missed by his family and many, many friends. We wish him fair winds and following seas.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 1, 2013 at 10:30am at the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 920 Tonaquint Drive, St. George. A rosary will be said at the same location at 10:00am. After the funeral, a reception for family and friends will be held at the Bloomington Country Club. Interment with military honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Washington County Veterans' Nursing Home. Send checks payable to Ivins Veterans Home c/o Bill Stay, 852 Sandpiper Place, Washington, UT 84780-8456, telephone (435) 656-1331.