Francis’ Obituary Francis Roderick Kitzmiller was born on January 5, 1932 in Winchester, Indiana to parents J. Frances Kitzmiller and Leona Heaston Kitzmiller. Rod came from humble beginnings and was only two years old when his father passed away from tuberculosis. Rod’s Uncle, Jim Wall, husband of Mary Wall, Leona’s sister, served as a respected influence on Rod throughout his life.
Both being Cardinal fans, Jim and Rod enjoyed many baseball games together. At a young age, ‘Roddy’ began work delivering newspapers, and by the end of High School his desire to get out of poverty became a priority. He graduated from Winchester High School in 1950 and married Patricia Harbour on July 27, 1951.
They were both hard-working, and Rod graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. After graduating from Ball State, Rod and Patricia drove to Midland, Texas for work. Pat’s Aunt Mary and Uncle Fred lived in Odessa, encouraging the Kitzmillers to move and take a chance in the oil business.
After two weeks of working for Shell Oil, Rod met Bill Klein and accepted an accounting position with Permian Corporation. Rod transferred to Houston in 1969 with the family, now including three children, and settled in West Houston. In the early 1980s, Permian was acquired by Wesray Capital; recognizing the value of Permian’s officers, Wesray’s managing partner Bill Simon offered Rod the option to buy a share in the purchase, which he readily accepted.
In the late 1980s Westray sold Permian to National Intergroup, prompting Rod’s retirement. Rod found love again with his second wife Cynthia McDonald, and they married on June 23rd, 1990. After retirement, Rod settled in Fulshear with Cynthia where they built a beautiful home together, enjoyed European travel, took many trips to New York City to see Broadway, and played golf at Weston Lakes, where he also enjoyed playing Bridge and Euchre with friends.
In his last ten years, Rod found a renewed sense of health and happiness: he discovered a passion for cycling and would ride his bike for miles and miles around Weston Lakes. Rod was known by all for his generosity, refreshingly candid honesty, and humorous storytelling. He was at once a no-frills sort of man and also contained a penchant for the finer things in life.
A patron of many restaurants and establishments around Houston and beyond, Rod was a man that was never forgotten, and his amity was enjoyed by everyone fortunate to have met him. Rod leaves behind a beautiful model of life and an inimitable legacy. He was preceded in death by his son, Jon R. Kitzmiller, his second wife Cynthia McDonald Kitzmiller and first wife Patricia Harbour Kitzmiller.
He is survived by his children, Jill Kitzmiller, Janey Kitzmiller Anderson, and step children Reece Glotfelty, Priscilla Martinez, and Jason Smith; grandchildren, Kristina Kitzmiller, Rebecca Kitzmiller Moore, Emily Kitzmiller Remmer, Jon Kitzmiller, Jr., Judd Kitzmiller, Carolyn Kitzmiller, Jacquelyn Yeast-Webster, Branson Yeast, Monica Anderson-Crawford, Michael Anderson, Julianne Glotfelty, Ian Glotfelty, Grace Smith, Sydney Martinez, Mason Martinez and Mackenzie Martinez. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the charity of their choice.
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