Gene Valjene Kittiko

Gene Valjene Kittiko was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania on October 8, 1944. Gene was the second of four children born to Joseph Kittiko and Jean Valjean Zetler. Known to the family as “the Golden Boy” and voted, “Best Looking” and “Most Likely to Succeed” at his High School, Gene Kittiko was predestined for success. In 1964, along with his older brother Bill, Gene made his way to Torrance, California in a ‘57 Chevy and all but a $50 dollar bill in his pocket. After dabbling in various trades, he found his calling fabricating Oak furniture alongside his father. Years later, in 1987, Gene founded Oak-It, Inc., fabricating store fixtures for the company Standard Brands Paint. Over the past 40 years, with the help of his Son & Daughter, Oak-It, Inc. has transformed into a full design and millwork manufacturing company primarily serving the automotive dealership industry.

In the later part of his life, Gene became a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle enthusiast, and attended several of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rallies in South Dakota. Anyone who knew Gene knew it was the thing he most looked forward to. It was a time for him to spend with his brother Joey, son Sean, grandson Kaspar and many of his dear friends. Gene never formally retired. The company and its people gave him joy and meaning.

Gene Kittiko passed away at 12:04am on March 7, 2024, at Inland Valley Hospital after sustaining an injury as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He is survived by his girlfriend Chang Freeman, brother Joseph Kittiko Jr., his children Renee Allbee, Lori Barrett & Sean Kittiko, his grandchildren Courtney Trujillo, Christin Walia, Casey Costello, Scott Allbee, Gunnar Barrett & Kaspar Kittiko, and greatgrandchildren Hailee and Landon Trujillo.

Gene’s humor and generosity will be sorely missed by all that knew him.