Kenneth S Sitton

Kenneth S. Sitton, 89, 6 Port Tack Drive, Keowee Key, Salem, SC, husband of Evangeline (Tina) Van Gieson Sitton, passed away on April 14, 2012, after a short illness. Born November 10, 1922 in Chattanooga, TN. He attended the University of Tennessee. When America entered WWII, he joined the Army Air Corps and graduated from Advanced Flying School in Napier, Alabama, Class of 43B. He served as fighter escort in the Caribbean out of Panama and Curacao. After transferring to the Pacific, he flew long-range fighter missions from the Mariana Islands and Okinawa. Ken received the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He married Tina in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 6, 1945. A 35 year career with Pan American Airways followed. He was assigned as manager or director in locations around the world, including India, Indonesia, Wake Island, Liberia and Dulles Airport in Virginia, Guam and Alaska during his career. As PAA director of Guam during the Vietnam War, he was involved in plans to evacuate all Pan Am employees and families when Saigon fell. Later, a movie, “Last Flight Out,” was made of those spirited out of Vietnam to Guam. Ken was proud to be a father figure to manyVietnamese families who still keep in contact. He was preceded by parents, John Warren and Janie Davis Sitton; sisters, Jean Sitton Tauxe and Katherine Sitton Pettit. He is survived by his wife Tina; sister, Florence Sitton Denton of Macon, GA; and by children Dabney and (Peter) Van Liere, and Clifton D. Sitton of Anchorage, AK, and John W. and (Barbara) Sitton of Arlington, VA; grandchildren, Cathleen and (Kurt) Mihelich, Kenneth M. Sitton, Samantha and (Lee Hussell, John T. Sitton, Jason and (Hollie) Cannelos, James Adrian Cannelos; many nieces and nephews; and three great grandchildren with another to arrive soon. A Committal Service will be held Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in the Memorial Garden with the Rev. Laura Smith Conrad officiating. The family will receive friends in Tartan Hall following the Committal Service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oconee Hospice of the Foothills, Attn: Foundation Office, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC, 29672; or Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, 101 Edgewood Avenue, Clemson, SC, 29631.

Kenneth S Sitton

November 10, 1922 - April 14, 2012