James Kittrell

James Kittrell was born James Bingham Kittrell on October 1, 1904, in Columbia, Tennessee, to James Ernest Kittrell and Letitia “Lettie May” Bingham Kittrell. He attended Lexington public schools and played basketball at Lexington Senior High School, now Henry Clay High School. His athletic interests extended beyond the basketball court: he also captained the school’s tennis team, leading the Blue Devils into competition against Louisville Male.

Kittrell joined Kentucky’s freshman basketball team during the 1923–24 season under coach Lawrence “Dutch” Burnham. In December 1923, he survived an early cut that reduced the freshman candidates to 53. Court space was scarce, forcing the young Wildcats to practice at night. A preview of their opener against Kentucky Wesleyan’s freshmen identified Kittrell, J. L. Darnaby, and William “Buddy” Smith as three former Lexington High players on the squad.

By the fall of 1925, Kittrell was among the players preparing for varsity competition under coach Ray Eklund. He worked at guard on Eklund’s second practice team before making his lone varsity appearance on January 21, 1926, against Centre. Kentucky won, 45–25, at the university gymnasium, with Eklund sending his second team into the contest with two minutes remaining. Though his varsity career was brief, the appearance secured Kittrell’s place in the history of Kentucky basketball.

Away from basketball, Kittrell pledged Delta Chi in 1923, represented the fraternity on Kentucky’s Men’s Pan-Hellenic Council, and served as chapter president during his senior year. He remained active in fraternity affairs, appearing among the hosts of Delta Chi’s spring formal in 1927. His connection with Kentucky athletics continued beyond college; several university football programs listed him among their boosters in 1939.

Kittrell married Marie Warren Beckner of Winchester on June 23, 1928, in a ceremony at her parents’ home. He worked for U.S. Rubber before becoming a partner with his father in Kittrell Motor Company. During World War II, he initially worked as a civilian automotive advisor at Fort Knox before receiving an Army commission and attaining the rank of captain. He returned to Lexington in January 1946 and continued his business and civic work, including service on the City Planning and Zoning Commission from 1952 to 1963. Kittrell died on May 15, 1966, at the Veterans Hospital following a long illness. He was 61.