James R. Kitchell, 1865-1929; Vermilion Parish Obits, Louisiana
Submitted by Kathy LaCombe-Tell
Source: Meridional
Submitted August 2004

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Kitchell, James R., born 2-4-1865, died 3-1-1929.
Meridional 3-2-1929:
J. R. Kitchell Passes Away After Brief Illness.
James Robert Kitchell, prominent local attorney and one of our 
staunchest and most progressive citizens, died at his home here on 
Friday, Mar. 1, 1929, at 10:00 o'clock a.m., aged 64 years and 27 days. 
The funeral will take place from his late residence on March 2, at 4:00 
o'clock p.m., with interment in the Graceland cemetery.
He is survived by his widow; four daughters: Isabel, Birdie and Mary of 
Abbeville, and Mrs. Frank Mutz, of Lafayette; and one son: James Jr., 
of Lafayette.
Mr. Kitchell was a native of Mississippi but come to Louisiana in 1886. 
After teaching school for five years he took up the study of law in the 
office of the late Hon. Lastie Broussard. After his admission to the 
bar he entered into a law partnership with Mr. Broussard which lasted 
until 1906 when the law firm of Kitchell, Bailey and Broussard was 
formed, consisting of J. R. Kitchell, W. W. Bailey and J. Otto 
Broussard. Upon the dissolution of this partnership in 1910, he 
continued to be associated with W. W. Bailey.
He was active in local and parish politics serving a term as Alderman 
of the town, and as Mayor from July 6, 1889 to May 14, 1900. He also 
served as Secretary of the Parish Democratic Executive Committee 
continuously from the date of its organization until his death.
He served as Superintendent of Education here from 1900 to 1904, and it 
was during his term and mainly through his influence that the Abbeville 
High School Building, the first one in the parish, was erected.
A good man has gone from us—one whose devotion to the best interests of 
humanity cannot be questioned. It may truthfully be said of him that he 
was free from guile—his character stainless and above reproach. We 
shall miss his calm unbiased judgment in all matters pertaining to 
human welfare, and his genial smile and words of good cheer will no 
longer inspire the weary and despairing ones with new strength to fact 
the battle of life.
The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family in 
this their darkest hour of sorrow.
Meridional 6-29-1929:
Bar Association Honors Memory of J. R. Kitchell.
At the meeting of the fifteenth Judicial District Bar Association held 
at Crowley Saturday afternoon the following resolutions paying honor to 
the memory of the late J. R. Kitchell, were adopted:
WHEREAS, James Robert Kitchell, a member of the Abbeville Bar 
Association, the District Bar Association of the Fifteenth Judicial 
District of Louisiana, and of the Louisiana State Bar Association, 
departed this life at his home in the Town of Abbeville, Vermilion 
Parish, Louisiana, on March 1, 1929; and
WHEREAS, the District Bar Association of the Fifteenth Judicial 
District of Louisiana, wishing to express its profound sorrow at his 
loss and give testimony of the esteem in which he was held, requested 
that resolutions be drafted in honor of his memory by a Committee 
composed of the members of the Abbeville Bar Association to be 
inscribed upon its minutes; and
WHEREAS, at a special meeting of the Abbeville Bar Association a 
Committee composed of Judge William P. Edwards, John Nugier and J. I. 
Boudreaux, Attorneys of the Abbeville Bar Association, was appointed to 
draft suitable resolutions for presentation to the District Bar 
Association of the Fifteenth Judicial District of Louisiana, at its 
meeting to be held in Crowley, Louisiana, on the 22nd day of June, A.D. 
1929. Said Committee, through its Chairman, John Nugier, presented the 
following resolutions and asked that the same be read aloud and spread 
upon the minutes of this Association.
Be It Resolved, That the District Bar Association of the Fifteen[th] 
Judicial District of Louisiana recognizes in the death of James Robert 
Kitchell the State has lost one of its most distinguished citizens, and 
the legal profession one of its ablest lawyers. He was an ornament to 
his profession, and an example to all by his private as well as public 
virtues. With great energy, he was singularly tempered with moderation. 
He was unpretending and exemplary in all his personal habits and 
intercourse with his neighbors. For breadth of view and intelligence 
upon all subjects he had few equals; a man uniformly reliable in all 
departments and conditions of life. He was a pure and blameless man, a 
faithful husband and an affectionate father and helpful friend. he was 
a just man, always giving full weights and measures. He was temperate, 
not given to excess indulgence of any kind. He was a Christian man, an
[d] an able and distinguished lawyer. We deeply regret the passing of 
such a citizen, lawyer and father, and deplore the loss of comradeship 
and councellorship which was an inspiration to greater and higher 
levels, and we extend to his family and loved ones or deep felt 
sympathy.
Be It Further Resolved, That the Secretary of this Association furnish 
a copy of these resolutions to the press for publication, and transmit 
a copy of the same to the family of the deceased.
Signed: John Nugier, Chairman of Committee.
Signed: J. I. Boudreaux,
Signed: W. P. Edwards