Paul T. Hitchens, DuPont Co. retiree
Paul T. Hitchens, 94, passed away Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was born May 29, 1927, in Wilmington, son of the late Thomas and Esther (Burns) Hitchens.
After graduating from high school, Mr. Hitchens enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he enrolled and graduated from the University of Delaware in 1950.
Mr. Hitchens began his business career with the DuPont Company at Chestnut Run and Experimental Station. He transferred into the sales area and spent over 20 years working in the Chicago, Ill. area. After 35 dedicated years, Mr. Hitchens retired and moved back to his home state of Delaware, settling in Rehoboth Beach.
He enjoyed many things and was active in the Delaware Master Gardeners and American Legion Post 5 in Rehoboth. Mr. Hitchens enjoyed spending time with all that he held close to his heart. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was loved and will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, George Hitchens; and by his beloved wife Alice, who passed in 2019 after 70 years of marriage.
Mr. Hitchens is survived by three grandsons: Jason Hitchens, Brian Hitchens (Erica), and Tyler Hitchens; his brothers, Donald Hitchens, Robert Hitchens, Thomas Hitchens (Ann), James Hitchens (Carol); and his sisters, Joan Hitchens, Patricia Hearn and Rosalie Hitchens; as well as many nieces and nephews. The family would especially like to thank Jeff and Cathy Cochran for all their help.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will follow the service at 1 p.m. at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, masks are required, and social distancing must be observed by all persons attending the service at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Mr. Hitchens’s memory to American Legion Post 5, 300 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, and to Nemours Children's Health at nemours.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Home and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Mr. Hitchens’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
