Rex (Rexford) D. Kitchens, a lifelong Travis County resident, was born in 1905 and died in Austin on December 1, 1965. He was a builder, banker, rancher and civic leader. He started Rex D. Kitchens Construction Co. in 1933. He pioneered the light weight pre-cast concrete structure field in Texas following World War II. Examples of building accomplishments in Austin are the Commodore Perry Hotel, Perry-Brooks Building, Austin National Bank, Austin Savings and Loan Building, the Capital Plaza Shopping Center, and the fire training tower on W. 1st St. Rex D. Kitchens Construction Co. also constructed the main building at Texas Technological College as well as several of the Texas Instruments buildings.
Kitchens was active in the civic community and was on the board of directors of Austin Savings and Loan Association, officer of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, officer of the Austin Chapter of Associated General Contractors and director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. His interest in the community led him to provide some of his land for baseball and softball fields. Five fields used by the Manchaca Optimist Club are named for him, including the Rex Kitchens Youth Athletic Complex. In 1978, the fire training tower was renamed the Burford Tower and Kitchens Memorial Chimes.
From the guide to the Rex D. Kitchens Construction Co. Records and Drawings AR. 2009. 023., 1954-1992, (Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, )
